SCOTLAND'S CANALS: an asset for the future
3 POLICY
Falkirk Wheel
3.1 Policy decisions in a number of areas can have a significant impact on the sustainable development of canals. This chapter examines five principal areas:
Regeneration, Planning and Development
3.2 Scotland's canals offer a unique opportunity to stimulate regeneration in both urban and rural communities. In urban areas, they can act as a catalyst for wider change, often well beyond their immediate vicinity. They:
create job opportunities;
offer opportunities for large and small scale development ranging from offices and shops to small scale community housing;
improve the environment by providing welcome green space within urban areas; and
stimulate confidence and pride within communities.
Bowling, Forth & Clyde Canal
There are several projects in England which are good examples of best practice in revitalising canals. One example of the urban regeneration potential offered by canals is the Brindleyplace development in Birmingham City Centre. This development comprises offices, restaurants, bars, housing and open space, enabling the area to have a vibrant 24-hour economy. Development statistics include; 1 around 3 million visitors each year; 10,000 man years of construction employment generated; an estimated net additional 5,000 full-time jobs have been created in Birmingham; the creation of over 1,330,000 square feet of office and retail space; and over 550 million invested in the area through private and public sector investment.
1 'Unlocked and Unlimited', British Waterways |
3.3 Similarly in rural areas:
the canal network provides a focus for tourism;
the parkland environment provides a community and recreational asset;
footpath traffic and the demand for moorings in rural areas stimulates small business developments such as waterside pubs, restaurants and marinas;
canals provide housing development opportunities in keeping with the scale of the waterway; and
they also provide a safe haven for flora and fauna.
In Market Harborough, Leicestershire, for example, BW initiated a project in conjunction with the local authority to develop the Canal basin area. The regeneration has been very successful in environmental, social and economic terms. The enhanced environment has resulted in the doubling of visitor numbers to the basin. This has produced a 167,000 annual increase in visitor spending. Residential property values have also increased by up to 40% in 2 years - above the national average - and the income from waterside office lettings is up to 35% higher than the town's average. |
3.4 Communities along the canal can also use its linear nature to forge links between each other. In the United States, towpaths have been used to create co-operation between communities through joint promotion. In addition, towpaths provide straight and direct routes for the laying of fibre-optic cables. This can offer e-commerce opportunities for canal-side businesses and local communities.
3.5 The Scottish Executive is keen that local communities benefit fully from the opportunities provided by the canals. Effective use of the planning system, and a partnership approach between BW, Local Enterprise Companies, local authorities and other appropriate public and voluntary organisations can make this happen. Indeed many such partnerships are already in place along the canal network. In addition, local authorities have up-dated their development plans to reflect the re-opening of the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals for navigation.
3.6 To ensure this continues, the Scottish Executive wants BW, in consultation with local authorities, to identify realistic and sustainable development proposals for the network. These may include:
new canal-side service provisions;
extensions to the network;
restoration of degraded canal-side land;
development of new canal related activities;
affordable developments to promote social inclusion; and
increasing canals' freight role.
3.7 Such development opportunities should take account of other policies for transport and the environment, for conservation of the natural and built heritage, and for diversity.
3.8 The Scottish Executive expects local authorities to take positive account of the potential use, and development, of any canals in their areas.
Aspirations
3.9 Looking to the future, the Scottish Executive expects the British Waterways Scotland Group to identify realistic proposals for development of the network involving potential new works.
3.10 Others in the private and public sectors should also use BW's particular expertise in managing other areas of waterspace. Opportunities for this include the proposal for the Greenock Cut in Inverclyde and developments at Culross, St Andrews and Arbroath Harbours.
Designed in 1827 by Robert Thom, the Greenock Cut took water for power generation and drinking to the town of Greenock from the hills to the south. Its construction was one of the crucial factors in the development of the town as an industrial centre rivalling Glasgow. It was replaced by a tunnel in 1972 and since then has fallen into disrepair. In the past few years, a project to partly restore the Cut system has gained momentum. A partnership formed by Inverclyde Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Scottish Enterprise Renfrew and Historic Scotland has employed BW to submit a grant bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. |
3.11 Ease of entry to the Forth & Clyde Canal at Grangemouth will be a factor in its popularity. Currently the River Carron has a tight tidal window during which craft can pass. A tidal barrage in the River Carron would extend navigability by a significant margin and stimulate regeneration of the Grangemouth area. BW should investigate further the cost and practicality of this.
3.12 The Forth & Clyde Canal has a natural link with boating activity on Loch Lomond. Budget permitting, we expect Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, West Dumbarton Council, Dunbartonshire Enterprise, SNH and the Area Tourist Board to work with BW to examine the viability of forming a navigable link.
3.13 Canals can also play a part in social or community development. BW should work with others to examine the opportunities for funding Local Support Officers to ensure that communities take full advantage of the resource and opportunities offered by the canal in their midst.
3.14 We also look to BW, local authorities and Local Enterprise Companies to identify and develop further sites for area regeneration. In order that the greatest benefits will accrue, quality of design and interaction with the canal itself are critical. We shall look to the planning authorities to work with BW to develop planning briefs and guidelines to ensure these opportunities are not lost.