Scottish Government

Promote increased use of canal network.

NPF2 Paragraph Reference

89, 95, 143, 146, 179, 193, 201, 202, 216, Annex - National Development 12

Contribution to NPF Strategy

• Supports strong, sustainable growth for the benefit of all parts of Scotland.
• Expands opportunities for communities and businesses by promoting environmental quality and good connectivity.
• Supports sustainable growth in the rural economy.

Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies

As part of the £50m Helix project, access to the canal network from the Forth will be enhanced through canalisation of a section of the River Carron and the installation of a new boat lift and canal hub.

In June 2011 12 km of new and upgraded pathways known as Helix South opened. Further Helix South path connections are due to be installed by summer 2012. These will create strong access links to the Falkirk Stadium at Westfield, itself one of the main gateways to the Helix project's planned central park and canal hub developments. The Helix is also planning to initiate a Community Gateways project which will help create community-inspired artworks.

Union Canal - the Redding Park development has seen the remediation of some of Scotland's most contaminated sites, and the construction of 400 houses is underway. Further canal related opportunities are being pursued at the proposed SSCI settlement at Whitecross and adjacent to the Causewayend canal basin.

Proposals for creating a navigable waterway between the Clyde and Loch Leven are part of the Strathleven initiative which aims to promote economic development in the area