British Waterways Welcomes Funding Announcement
1 March 2005
British Waterways has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Executive of an additional ?3.6 million to fund a range of works which will push forward the revitalisation of Scotland?s canal network.
The new investment, which was announced by Transport Minister Nicol Stephen, will see funds invested in improvements to both the Highland and Lowland waterways.
In the Highlands work will include the acceleration of the ongoing lock stabilisation programme on the Caledonian Canal and lock repairs on the Crinan Canal, while in the Lowlands activity will include the development of hire boat facilities at Auchinstarry on the Forth & Clyde Canal, a study of the River Carron and additional dredging on the Union and Monkland canals.
Commenting on the announcement, George Greener, British Waterways Chairman said: ?Thanks to the continued support of the Scottish Executive we are seeing real benefits flow into communities across Scotland as the newly restored canals act as catalysts for waterside regeneration activity. This additional investment is a tremendous boost for Scotland?s inland waterways and we will now look to deliver real value for money with a programme of improvements on all of the country?s canals.?
Jim Stirling, Director Scotland at British Waterways echoed George Greener?s comments and added: ?The revitalisation of our inland waterways is moving on apace, and working with the Scottish Executive and our public sector partners, we can ensure that this momentum is maintained and the opportunities to convert shared plans into real projects are grasped to maximize public benefits from canals.?
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Issued on behalf of British Waterways by Wave PR. For further information contact Chris Bell on Tel: 0141 303 8390 Mobile: 07974 692 330
Note to Editors
British Waterways is a public corporation, an organisation owned by the people of this country on whose behalf we manage and care for more that 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales.
British Waterways Scotland
Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved matter, with funding for British Waterways' Scottish activities coming from the Scottish Executive. In Scotland the 137-mile (220km) canal network includes the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals.
British Waterways Scotland works in partnerships with local authorities, voluntary groups, private companies and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.
The organisation balances the conservation of the country?s heritage and environment with developing commercial opportunities to generate income to reinvest in the waterways for further sustainable regeneration. Scotland?s canals are currently undergoing a period of intense regeneration activity.