This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Improvements to canal network
22/03/2004
An extra £2.2 million for British Waterways to make
improvements that will increase access to all of Scotland's
main canals was announced today.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen was in Inverness to see
Muirtown Lock on the Caledonian Canal which is being
upgraded in a £20 million project.
He said:
"Whether it's on foot, by cycle or by boat, more Scots
and visitors to Scotland are discovering that canals are
the perfect way of exploring our magnificent countryside
and escaping from the pressures of modern life.
"In recent years, we have reversed decades of neglect
and revitalised Scotland's canals. The Falkirk Wheel and
the restoration of the Caledonian Canal are two great
examples of what can be achieved. The benefits for tourism
and the local economy are enormous.
"We want to create more opportunities for people to take
pleasure in travelling on Scotland's canals. These
improvements will ensure boaters, cyclist and walkers have
safe and enjoyable journeys along our canals."
The number of boat licences issued in Scotland has gone
up by 13 per cent over the last three years - from 2,588 in
2000-01 to 2,920 in 2002-03.
The £2.2 million will be spent to improve access to the
Lowland and Highland canals, including:
- improvements to towpaths on the Forth & Clyde
and Crinan Canals
- improvements to the access road and slipway at the
eastern end of the Forth & Clyde Canal in
Grangemouth
- over 1km of additional moorings at various sites on
the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals and the
provision of moorings and boaters' facilities at
Auchinstarry as a first stage in the creation of a new
marina
- new timber gates for locks on the Forth & Clyde
and Union Canals, together with new gates for
Clachnaharry and Dochgarroch Locks at the eastern end
of the Caledonian Canal, which will ease their
operation for users
- General improvement works at the Muirtown Basin in
Inverness and on the Crinan Canal at Ardrishaig
- Improvements to the Falkirk Wheel exhibition
- Dredging on the Forth & Clyde and Union
Canals
The Caledonian Canal Lock repair programme started in
1993 and is now near to completion with remaining works
still to be carried out at Dochgarroch Lock, Clachnaharry
Works Lock and Clachnaharry Sea Lock and also some general
works at all 29 locks.
The Scottish Budget announced on 12 September 2002,
increased grant funding to British Waterways from £7.1
million in 2002-03 to £8.4 million in 2003-04 and £8.9
million in 2004-05 and 2005-06. In addition the Scottish
Executive awarded one-off grants totalling £6.7 million in
2002-03, a previously announced £2 million in 2003-04 and
the extra £2.2 million for 2003-04 which has been announced
today.
The Executive published Scotland's first policy document
on canals,
Scotland's Canals: An Asset for the
Future, in 2002. The main aims were to increase
public awareness and encourage economic regeneration
through the development of a 'canal culture'.