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Cash Boost For Scotland's Canal

1 March 2005

Cash Boost For Scotland?s Canals

Further investment will ensure the continuing transformation of Scotland?s Highland canals, Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said today.

The Executive has awarded British Waterways Scotland an extra ?3.6 million to repair and restore Scotland?s Caledonian and Crinan Canals; upgrade customer washroom facilities on the Caledonian canal; and develop hireboat facilities on the Lowlands Canal network. 

Mr Stephen said:

?The Caledonian and Crinan Canals are of immense value to the Highlands.  This cash will do much more than just improve these canals for the present day ? it will ensure they remain safe and welcoming places to visit for generations to come.

?We want to create more opportunities for people to access and enjoy the canal network. The additional funding will enable British Waterways to build on exciting developments beginning to take shape on the Lowlands Canals - benefiting the boaters and many visitors who enjoy our canals.

?Investment in the canal network boosts the local economy and tourism. Providing better facilities will encourage more people to use our canals, making them lively and attractive places to be.? 

Notes for news editors

1. The extra ?3.6m grant is from savings within the intergrated transport fund and takes the total for the financial year to BWS to ?12.5m. The additional funding will be allocated as follows: 
? ?2m will be spent on the Caledonian Canal sea locks at Inverness.
? ?700,000 is for improvements to the Crinan Canal.  
? Over ?0.5m will be spent on the Lowland Canals including customer facilities at British Waterway?s new marina at Auchinstarry near Kilsyth. 
? A contribution towards a feasibility study to be undertaken by BWS to improve access to the Forth Clyde Canal from the east via the River Carron.  
? ?200,000 will also be made available for dredging to aid the passage of boats on the canals.  

2. British Waterways is a cross border public corporation sponsored jointly by the Scottish Executive and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).  In Scotland BWS manage 5 canals - these are:  the Caledonian, the Crinan, the Forth and Clyde, the Union and Monklands canals.

Contact: Julie MacBeath?: 0131-244 5181
News Release:
Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk