The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project's (GCRP) has a 20 year vision to revitalise 1,000 acres of the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde canal from Port Dundas to Maryhill. The project, which was formed in 2004 and is a partnership between Glasgow City Council and UK waterside regeneration specialists ISIS of which British Waterways has a 50 per cent stake, will seek to create a fantastic waterside environment that will bring benefits to those living and working in Glasgow, whilst providing attractive destinations for visitors to the city.

  Work by British Waterways, Glasgow City Council and ISIS to create a new basin and dynamic waterspace between the historic canalside locations at Port Dundas and Speirs Wharf on the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal was completed in late 2006. It was the first stage in a long-term regeneration initiative that will deliver a powerful force for positive change in North Glasgow which is arguably the area of Glasgow in greatest need of this investment. The creation of the new stretch of canal combined with a programme of landscaping and public realm improvements paves the way for the creation of a thriving canal quarter in 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. 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, with sensitive development, we will see the creation of a fantastic waterside environment. This investment will bring thousand's of houses for those who aspire to live there in addition to providing an attractive destination for visitors to the city. It will also provide access to jobs and prosperity which will benefit the local community.

  An extensive community engagement exercise is ongoing in the area to ensure that everyone with an interest in the revitalisation of the canal corridor has an opportunity to input into the proposals.

  Events organized by British Waterways and The Waterways Trust for Scotland such as the world premiere art installation on the Forth & Clyde Canal at Firhill Basin in Glasgow help this community engagement enormously. During the event internationally acclaimed artist Graeme Gilmour unveiled his six gigantic illuminated lanterns as the finale to a day long canal celebration, Illuminating Links, which included a host of water based activities, fireworks display and a torchlight parade led by local primary school pupils. Such innovative events masterminded by British Waterways cement the idea of the canal as an attractive part of the city to live and visit, and I am delighted it was such a success. The involvement of local schoolchildren underlines the commitment of all the partners in the canal's regeneration to fully involve the community at all stages of the project.

  The proposals for Maryhill Locks is another important step towards the revitalisation of the canal and the areas along its banks. The canal's regeneration can add to the renaissance that Glasgow is currently going through, and bring another dimension to the city through the development of green space close to its centre. All the partners in this project will continue to work with local people and business to ensure that we create the best possible environment around the canal, making the area an attractive one to work and live.

Steve Inch, Executive Director

Development and Regeneration Services

Glasgow City Council

March 2008