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'.