The Scottish Government

Name

Davina Lavery

Job title

Organisation

West Dunbartonshire Council

Address

Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton, G82 3PU

Telephone

01389 737597

Fax

01389 737512

Email

davina.lavery@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

1 Clydebank re-built

2 British Waterways Scotland

3 The Waterways Trust Scotland

4 West Dunbartonshire Greenspace

5

6

Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

4 Title of entry

Animating the Canal

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

The project involves a number of linked elements. The main ones being the redesign of the north canal bank environment and the replacement of the bridge canopy at Clydebank town centre with a design inspired by a swan in flight with cantilevering wing spans emerging from a central steel support. The public space was reconfigured, physical barriers removed and a greener, safer, more attractive environment, with improved linkages and opportunities to access the canal for recreation, created. Other elements involved the resurfacing of the towpath, installation of artwork, access, seating and signage improvements.To complement and inform the physical projects, a community involvement programme was established including consultation events and a canal focussed schools programme.

An 'Animating the Canal' study (2005) identifed ways of increasing activities on and alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal and to improve the relationship of canal side developments to the canal. The study emphasised that the unique resource of the canal needs to be exploited. There was a need to improve the canal side environment and turn Clydebank into an attractive destination and hub of activity on the canal network. Issues of personal safety, visiblity, connections to and from the canal, points of interest, the context for users and the opportunities it offers as a recreational resource had to be addressed. A partnership working group was established to prioritise 'animating the canal' projects and identify roles and actions required by each partner.

The aim is to enhance the canal environment and improve access and activity on and along it, so as to aid the regeneration of West Dunbartonshire. The objectives are to enhance the image and identity of Clydebank by improving physical and visual relationships with the canal; enhance it's profile and create a focal point for the town centre; introduce new and reconfigured spaces for land and water based activity and events; address safety and security issues; respond to the needs and deliver the aspirations of the retail, business, commercial and residential communities; enhance attractiveness for shoppers, visitors and investors; improve recreational usability of the canal corridor ;encourage a sense of feeling and pride and increase people's enjoyment of using the canal corridor.

A funding opportunity in 2006 was the catalyst for the project. WDC were awarded £1M from the Cities Growth Fund to be spent on canal regeneration during 2006-08. Further match funding was obtained from CR, the ERDF Urban II Programme, Forward Scotland and SNH. (Overall project value was £2.3M). The funding deadlines of March and June 2008 dictated the timescale for delivery. North Canal Bank:Design Team (Ian White Associates) appointed 07/06, Works Start ( AEL Enterprise Ltd) 07/07,completed 06/08; Bridge Canopy: RIAS Design competition launched 09/06, RMJM selected as winning architect, detail design commences 01/ 07,Works start (Gray and Dick Ltd) 02/ 08, completed 05/08; Other elements were developed and delivered over the same period.

The views of the community were sought through CR's established consultation process - a Design Forum on 22/6/06 highlighted issues to be addressed. Consultants were appointed for each of the linked elements of the project to produce inspiring and deliverable solutions to animate the canal. Ian White Associates Landscape Architects were commissioned to redesign the north canal bank environment. The bridge canopy was subject to a RIAS competition.The winning entry was from Neil McLean of Glasgow Architects, RMJM. The architect teamed up with engineers Buro Happold to design the elegant Swan structure. Other companies were commissioned to assist with the access, seating and signage and design and install the artwork and interpretation features.

WDC chair the animating the canal working group; had overall responsibility for coordination and financial management; led on the artwork and interpretation; and jointly led on the access, seating and signage. CR managed the north canal bank improvements and bridge canopy works on behalf of WDC ;led on the community consultation and highly innovative schools programme;contributed £788k. The key personnel involved from WDC and CR are planners. BWS led on the canal towpath improvement; were a key consultee throughout design and implementation stages;contributed canal infrastructure. TWTS jointly led on the access, seating and signage; played a key role in fundraising; and assisted with the schools projects. WD Greenspace assisted with access improvements and the schools projects.

Clydebank's presence as a node on the wider canal network has been strengthened. Civic pride has been enhanced. A higher quality, safer and distinct environment is encouraging more activity on the canal and at the town centre. The Clyde Shopping Centre has reported a gradual increase in weekly footfall figures as a result of the project and BWS have confirmed a marked upturn in boat traffic. NCN7, which follows the canal towpath, has also seen an increase in numbers. Investor interest has been enhanced. Recent planning applications were granted for new canal side cafés and bars. The July 2008 Clydebank canal carnival, held at the rejuvenated north bank, was a huge success, providing evidence that Clydebank's potential as a major focus for water and land based canal activity is being realised.

The animating the canal project demonstrates outstanding work in planning where several organisations have worked in partnership to continue the regeneration of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Having various elements makes it different to other regeneration projects. It demonstrates excellent and innovative practices which can be replicated in other projects across Scotland. It has helped realise one of the physical regeneration priorities of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan. It has stimulated creativity among all involved and been delivered successfully within a tight timescale and budget. It has produced an exceptionally high quality of development on the ground, increase activity on and along side the canal and raised the profile of Clydebank as an important hub on the canal network.

22/8/08