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SCOTLAND'S CANALS: an asset for the future
4 PROMOTING VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Voluntary Bodies/Working with Communities
4.1 Voluntary groups have worked to support Scotland's inland waterways during periods when many people thought canals were best filled in or used as dumping grounds. This is particularly true of the Lowland canals where a small, but dedicated, number of volunteers worked tirelessly to keep stretches of the canal navigable and provide accessible boating facilities for those with disabilities.
4.2 All public bodies owe a debt of gratitude to these organisations. The Executive and BW want them to play a full part as active stakeholders in future developments of Scotland's canal network. Equally, ties with local community organisations are vitally important to securing the full potential of the network. BW have an ongoing programme to foster and develop these contacts and to encourage local participation in canal-related activities.
4.3 The Executive's Programme for Government contains a commitment to encourage social inclusion. An objective central to this is to ensure convenient access for people with disabilities. The Executive and BW wish to make sure that all sectors of society use the canals - and are not just viewed as being there for people boating from one side of Scotland to another!
4.4 The Scottish Executive and BW are committed to the concept of sustainable development. A vital component of this is, again, social inclusion. BW will allocate resources to engage local communities. BW staff will encourage schools and community groups to use the canals and their environs wherever possible. This can be for educational, sporting or recreational reasons. Education in water safety will underpin this work.
Managing Competing Uses
4.5 The multi-use of canals and towpaths by canoeists, rowers, leisure boaters, commercial craft, walkers, cyclists and anglers requires skilful handling. BW will co-ordinate the creation of user groups to encourage an understanding of the needs of particular waterway related activities and a harmonious relationship between competing interests.
4.6 Policing, security and management of conflict are essential factors in the enjoyment of the canals. A successful partnership already exists between BW and the Strathclyde police force and there are further opportunities for expansion of this scheme into other canal areas. Local Support Officers or community project officers may offer further support to kick-start schemes or encourage community involvement.
Encouraging Local Use
4.7 Information and public awareness are critical in maximising the use of the network. If visitors to the canals are unaware of the facilities or resources available, they may leave disappointed or earlier than they otherwise would. This may be avoided through:
improvements to signposting;
increased and accessible publicity on local heritage, wildlife and leisure opportunities;
the creation of Local Support Officers (through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and possibly Scottish Natural Heritage);
the siting of Healthy Living centres on or near the canal; and
the creation of local, circular routes using canal tow paths.
This will help both communities and visitors to benefit from, and appreciate, the heritage around them and the ecological value of the canal.
Sports and Health
4.8 Canals can provide easy access to informal recreation. This can improve the health of local communities and provide an entrance for young people into more formal sporting activity. As indicated at paragraph 6.25 BW should build up links with
sportscotland to develop the relationship between informal activity and regular participation in sports.
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