Union Canal to be illuminated

THERE are plans to install solar lighting, at an undisclosed cost, on almost 10 miles of Edinburgh's Union Canal.

This is to encourage people to walk, run and cycle on the banks of the Union Canal after dark and make the towpath safer, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Avoided after dark

Community leaders believe most people avoid the canal after dark because of a lack of lighting, especially in view of reported attacks.

Richard Millar, Waterway Development Manager at British Waterways Scotland, reported:

"Such low pollution directional lights would give those walking or cycling along the canal early in the morning or after twilight greater visibility, particularly around the edges of the towpath and when approaching bridges.

British Waterways believes that the solar lighting would protect the 'historic setting' of the Union Canal, while encouraging more people to use the towpath.