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Animating the Forth and Clyde Canal

On Wednesday 25 June 2008, Lord Provost Denis Agnew joined 40 school children and community groups to celebrate the completion of a £163,000 project to improve 7km of towpath on the Forth & Clyde Canal stretching from Bowling Harbour to Whitecrook.

The signage, seating and access project was developed by environmental and heritage charity, The Waterways Trust Scotland, British Waterways Scotland and West Dunbartonshire Council to improve the canalside environment.

Pupils from Clydemuir School and Gavin Burn Primary School along with local community groups have added a splash of colour to the Canal Basin at Bowling Harbour with ceramic tile artwork.

Working alongside Julia Smith, a professional artist from DeepFired, the pupils created colourful ceramic tiles which now adorn litterbins and picnic benches at key points along the 7km stretch of waterway.

Trainees from the Coach House Trust have also carved picnic tables, benches and litter bins which are now installed at Bowling Harbour. A 2 metre high carved swan created by artist Mick Burns provides a stunning focal point at the harbour.

Through the project new signage directing people to the famous canal and new information and orientation boards have been installed at key points.

An improved surface has been created at Portpatrick Road and the existing footpath at this location has also been upgraded, improving access to the canal for walkers and residents of Erskine View.

Karen Moore, Development Director, The Waterways Trust Scotland, said: “This has been a wonderful project to be involved with. So many people from so many different walks of life have come together to help create some really beautiful artwork to animate the canal."

"123 volunteers have helped make this project a reality and their artwork, alongside the new signage and information panels, really add life and interest to the waterway."

“Over 60,000 towpath and canal users are already benefiting from the improvements As well as providing points of interest for existing towpath users, we are confident that, with the new signage and footpath, many more people from the surrounding area will find their way to the canal and enjoy what our waterways have to offer.”

Richard Millar from British Waterways Scotland said: “We are really pleased with the improvements that have been made to the signage, seating and towpath along this part of the Forth & Clyde Canal. Following on from our successful collaboration with Sustrans, this work further enhances the area, making navigation easier, and overall contributing to a more enjoyable experience for all who visit or use the Forth &Clyde Canal.”

Provost Denis Agnew from West Dunbartonshire Council said: “Completion of this work is a wonderful achievement, not only does it enhance the environment for everyone to enjoy in the Bowling area, it also highlights our connection to The Clyde and shines the spotlight on this important route into West Dunbartonshire. I am delighted to see all this work done.”

In total:

• 73 way marker signs have been installed along a 7km stretch of the Forth & Clyde Canal

• 56 new canal towpath signs installed

• 32 seats and picnic benches have been created and installed

• 6 cycle racks have been installed

• 5 new cairns installed at the Saltings to support posts for the new interpretation panels

• Life-size replica of the former Singer Factory clock hands, marks the point where the National Cycle Route joins the canal towpath and indicates direction of Glasgow and Loch Lomond

• ‘At the heart of Clydebank’ orientation panel installed Clydebank shopping centre on south bank of the canal

• Interpretation panel installed on the north bank of the canal at Clydebank shopping centre

• ‘Beneath the Erskine Bridge’ orientation panel installed at The Saltings

• ‘Between the Canal and the Clyde’ interpretation panel installed at the western entrance to The Saltings

• ‘Life on the edge’ interpretation panel installed within the local nature reserve at The Saltings

• ‘Heading east’ orientation and interpretation panel installed at Bowling cycle shop, where the towpath and cycle route join

• ‘End and beginning’ interpretation panel installed at Bowling Basin car park

Bowling Harbour Project Elements:

 8 trainees from the Coach House Trust were involved in the making of the picnic tables and benches and the litter bins.

 6 wooden Picnic Tables and benches inlaid with Ceramic Panels designed by local school children

and community groups including….

 3 Chainsaw carved benches including wildlife sculptures of an owl and squirrel.

 3 chainsaw carved benches

 10 litter bins made from recycled concrete and glass inlaid with ceramic tiles made by local school children and community groups

 2m wooden swan sculpture

Animating the Canal Access, Signage and Seating Project was funded by the Environmental Justice fund, which Forward Scotland is administering during 2007-08 on behalf of the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, West Dunbartonshire Council and the Cities Growth Fund.