All clear for navigation on the canals

BOATERS will no doubt find that title unbelievable, but it refers to the Scottish canals!

After a busy maintenance period over the winter months there are just two stoppages on the canals but in both cases boaters are given access.

Smaller work force

Though nowhere near the number of canals as compared to those of England, Scottish Canals have a much smaller work force, but at least have kept a deal of its own staff to handle maintenance which means at the start of the season all its waterways (Monkland Canal is no longer navigable but a water supply to the Forth & Clyde Canal) are open for navigation.

The stoppage on the Union Canal is caused by repairs to Glen Village Aqueduct, but staff will move the floating pontoons to allow access for boats.

Booking facility

Work is needed on Erskine Ferry Road Bridge but again there is a booking facility for access for boats.

The Scottish waterways were originally under the jurisdiction of British Waterway, but split away as Scottish Waterways when Canal & River Trust was created.