Scottish Government launch project encouraging people to live on canals

AN INITIATIVE encouraging more people to live on canals is one of several projects sharing £4.6 million in Scottish Government funding to regenerate Scotland’s waterways.

The cash will go towards providing residential moorings at Firhill, Glasgow and Grangemouth, Falkirk to create “floating villages” as part of the Living on Water scheme.

A paddlesports centre is planned at Pinkston Basin on the Forth & Clyde canal, with the aim of developing a “corridor of sport” along the waterway’s Glasgow branch.

Bowling harbour in West Dunbartonshire will be upgraded with a new pedestrian and cycle link and a footbridge at Speirs Wharf in Port Dundas, Glasgow is planned.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Excellent progress has been made over the past decade in revitalising the network, and we are now keen to deliver a wider public benefit.

“A fine start has been made but much more remains to be done and this funding will allow continued progress.”

Steve Dunlop, chief executive of management body Scottish Canals, said: “This major investment gives us an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on the local communities where we operate, attract significant tourism into Scotland, create jobs and stimulate business growth that will benefit the wider Scottish economy.

The two-year investment programme is in addition to previously announced grant-in-aid for Scottish Canals of £10 million for 2012-13, the Government said.