Scotland's canal network feels strain of extra water

Scottish Canals faces massive repairs from unprecedented volumes of water from increasing rainfall wearing out weirs, locks, bridges and piers.

Major work on weirs, piers and locks are required as the 200-year-old system is battered by the effects of climate change.

The latest overhauls include to a weir on the River Ness where it meets the Caledonian Canal at Loch Dochfour, south of Inverness.

The £2 million, two-year project is scheduled to be  completed next year.

Further south on the canal, Cullochy weir near Loch Oich had to undergo emergency repairs costing £1.2m in 2015.

Damage caused by heavy rains and melting snow closed the waterway for more than a month.

The Union Canal in  Linlithgow had to be drained in January to fix suspected leaks in its walls.

There is also urgent work needed on Ardrishaig pier at the east end of the Crinan Canal, estimated to cost between £400,000 and £1.5m.

A further £30,000 of repairs are needed on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Grangemouth, where a lock broke on the day the Queen officially opened an adjoining section of the waterway three weeks ago.

Working locks are crucial so water can be moved along canals to help avert flooding in areas such as Glasgow.

The incidents have forced Scottish Canals, which runs the network, to “recalibrate” its maintenance plans.

It said the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 for Scotland highlighted that rainfall went up by 14 per cent between 1960 and 2010, and the increase could more than double to 31 per cent between then and 2050.

Chief executive Steve Dunlop said: “Climate change is a real pressure and we are having to bring forward work.”

Mr Dunlop warned that locks and bridges might have to be closed if they posed  safety concerns and there was no other option.

He acknowledged the Scottish Government – Scottish Canals’ main funder – had no “big money tree” to pay for repairs.

He said the public body was trying to generate more income from attractions such as the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies to supplement its £11.1m annual grant.

Mr Dunlop said: “We can help ourselves by being an earning and saving organisation as well as a spending one.”

It is also buying up canalside land to develop business and other commercial ventures to boost income.

These include a former brewery site being redeveloped as housing above Pinkston canal basin, on an arm of the Forth and Clyde Canal just north of Glasgow city centre.

Transport Scotland said: “The Scottish Government has provided over £11m of funding in 2017-18 to Scottish Canals to operate, maintain and develop our national assets across the 137-mile canal network.”