Lowland canals reclassified

FOLLOWING a public consultation, the Scottish Government has reclassified the Forth & Clyde and Union canals as 'cruising' waterways.

This means they are no longer 'remainder' waterways—one up from derelict—but now officially available for cruising, fishing and other recreational purposes, and have to be kept up to the standard to enable boats to cruise.

Ongoing commitment

British Waterways Scotland welcomes the move which confirms the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to the Scottish canals.

Since the Forth & Clyde and Union canals were reopened through the £83.5m Lottery funded Millennium Link Project a decade ago, they have been maintained as cruising waterways and have welcomed an increasing number of boaters each year, though not officially rated.

Major milestone

Steve Dunlop, Director, British Waterways Scotland, states:

"This major milestone in the development of the lowland canals is a great testament to all the volunteers and canal enthusiasts who fought so hard to see the canals reopened ten years ago. It will also be welcomed by our many public, private and voluntary sector partners who are working with us on a wide variety of regeneration, tourism and healthy living projects along the Scottish canals which together attract 24m visits each year.

"It is particularly rewarding to see the lowland canals reclassified this year in the midst of a series of tenth anniversary celebrations. Last September, canal societies, waterside charities and social enterprises joined together to celebrate ten years since the Union Canal reopened. A 60 strong flotilla sailed the length of the waterway and around 15,000 people came out to watch the spectacle. This September, we look forward to Forth & Clyde 10, a similar flotilla celebration and, next year, we will mark the tenth anniversary of the completion of the full Millennium Link and the opening of the Falkirk Wheel, which is now one of Scotland's leading visitor attractions."