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New canal basin in Glasgow

2nd Oct 2006

Port Dundas was awash with colour on Friday 29 September as a flotilla of boats gathered in Glasgow to mark the completion of a spectacular new canal basin in the heart of the city.

Port Dundas was awash with colour on Friday 29 September as a flotilla of boats gathered in Glasgow to mark the completion of a new canal basin in the heart of the city.

The £6.2 million project, which was led by British Waterways, has seen the creation of 300 metres of new canal, a mooring basin, a cascading wall of water and two lock structures between Speirs Wharf and Pinkston Basin in Port Dundas.

As a result of the works, boats can now travel past Speirs Wharf for the first time in over 40 years.

First stage of regeneration initiative

The completion of the new waterspace on the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal represents the first stage in a long-term regeneration initiative that will deliver a powerful force for positive change in North Glasgow. New links and sensitive development will combine to bring the historic canal to life once again and help to create and enhance canalside communities across the canal corridor.

To mark the occasion the Rt. Hon. Michael Martin MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, formally named 'Speaker Martin’s Lock at the entrance to the new basin.

Commenting on the event the Rt. Hon. Mr Martin MP said: "This is a tremendous day and I am honoured that one of this superb development’s locks, which is within my constituency, is being named after me. I have long been a canal enthusiast and have campaigned for the restoration of the waterway since the 1960s." 

Steve Dunlop, Director Scotland at British Waterways added: "This is a very significant moment in the ongoing regeneration of Scotland’s canal network. As Glasgow prepares to welcome the prestigious Waterfront Expo conference next month, this is a timely reminder of the huge regeneration potential linked to the city’s historic canal corridor.

"We are still at the early stages of this process but if the community is fully engaged and we work closely with all our partners then I have no doubt that we will see the creation of a fantastic waterside environment that will bring benefits to those living and working in Glasgow, whilst providing an attractive destination for visitors to the city."

Creating a dynamic canal quarter

A recently announced £3.25 million funding package will contribute a crucial element to the further enhancement of the area with public realm improvements and landscaping helping to link the new canal basin to Glasgow city centre. The investment includes £1.5 million from the Scottish Executive, £1.25 million from Glasgow City Council and £0.5 million from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.

The project will play a key role in the creation of a dynamic canal quarter and new events space for Glasgow with works including the creation of an entrance plaza, improved lighting and a direct cycle/walkway to the basin.

The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project, a partnership between ISIS Waterside Regeneration (British Waterways’ national property development partnership with Amec Developments and Igloo Regeneration Fund) and Glasgow City Council, will see the creation of a series of mixed use developments and a number of new destinations across 1,000 acres of the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal, from Port Dundas to Maryhill, over the next 15 to 20 years.

Construction of the new canal basin was completed thanks to a strong partnership approach. Funding support was received from Glasgow City Council; European Regional Development Fund; British Waterways’ regeneration vehicle – ISIS, and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Principal contractor on the project was C Spencer Limited of Barrow on Humber, North Lincolnshire, who undertook several contracts on The Millennium Link.

Last updated: 22/10/2008