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SCOTLAND'S CANALS: an asset for the future
2 AIMS AND STRATEGY
2.1 The Scottish Executive believes that our canals are an asset that, if used wisely, can enhance the future quality of life in Scotland. We can do this by:
2.2 In publishing this paper, we want to tackle the first of these aims by raising public awareness of Scotland's recently renewed canal network. In addition, we want to encourage debate over the regeneration, sustainable development and leisure potential the network offers.
2.3 This paper also aims to stimulate links between government departments and public bodies and to give the private and voluntary sectors a context within which they can maximise their contribution to the future development of our canals.
2.4 Up to now, Scotland had not been able to take a share of the benefits of the waterway renaissance evident elsewhere in the UK. The Scottish Executive believes that canals are a vital part of Scotland's future and therefore, along with BW and others, wishes to encourage their full and sustainable development for the benefit of the widest possible range of people.
2.5 Our strategy to achieve this is based on five main principles:
Increasing awareness of canals in general and encouraging more private sector investment.
Encouraging all public bodies sponsored by the Executive and local authorities to continue to work together and support the sustainable development and regeneration of canals and their surrounding areas.
Promoting voluntary sector and community involvement in canals, with particular regard to their educational value and their positive impact on quality of life.
Promoting the need for other public policy decisions to take account of the sustainable development and regeneration aims for our canals.
BW will continue to receive Scottish Executive grant to meet its statutory duties and help progress new initiatives, but are encouraged to develop new and existing earned income streams.
2.6 The following chapters set out in more detail how the Scottish Executive expects this policy to be delivered. This is largely a process of education and development. We believe that by increasing understanding of the role and potential of canals, we can more easily identify and develop best practice in partnership with BW and many other supporters in the public, private and voluntary sectors. There is also the potential to extend such best practice to other waterways and waterspace in Scotland.
Crinan Canal
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