Opening up the Canal - Glasgow Access Project

The Project
The Waterways Trust Scotland, Glasgow City Council and British Waterways Scotland are improving access and signage along the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal to help raise awareness of the waterway and encourage local residents and visitors alike to enjoy and make use of the canal.

87 new way-marker poles and 275 sign plates have been installed along the canal at key access and road points to direct people to the canal corridor.

The local community has also been involved with the project. Working alongside Julia Smith, a professional artist from DEEPFRIED, pupils from nine local schools have created ceramic tiles to add colour and interest to the access path at Rotherwood Avenue (G13) and Wyvis Quadrant (G15), and a flight of stairs leading to the canal.

Schools involved were: Blairdardie Primary School, St Ninian's RC Primary School, Knightswood Secondary School, Westerton Primary School, Garscadden Primary School, Bankhead Primary School, Drumchapel High School, St Brendan's RC Primary School and Knightswood Primary School.

As well as providing a splash of colour, the new artwork and signs will draw attention to the canal, helping it to become a new destination for people in the City to visit and enjoy.

Background
The Waterways Trust Scotland invited artist Julia Smith to create a series of artworks which could enhance the improvements to Rotherwood Avenue Access and Wyvis Quadrant and involve the local community in its realisation.

At Rotherwood Avenue a new path has been laid, improvements have also been made to the existing stairs and two bollards are now installed with a further two in development. A new path has also been laid at Wyvis Quadrant.

Julia's idea was to create cast glass blocks using recycled glass which is incorporated into the paths at both sites. The artwork for the glass blocks was created by the pupils during the schools workshops.

For the stairs at Rotherwood, Julia has cladded the up risers in handmade ceramic tiles and these were also designed and made by the pupils. Designs for the bollards were also finalised during the workshops and have been mosaiced with canal inspired imagery.

Funding
The Waterways Trust Scotland raised £37,238 for the Canal Signage which was funded by British Waterways Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Biffaward, Glasgow Community Planning, Miss E.C. Hendry Charitable Trust, Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust and the Tay Charitable Trust and the Access Improvements and artwork were funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, Biffaward, Glasgow Community Planning and The Big Lottery Awards for All Scotland.

The completion of the project will be marked at a special event on Friday 25th April 2008.

The Canal
The Forth & Clyde Canal was originally constructed in 1768 and the through route was opened in 1790. The canal was closed to traffic in 1963 however it was restored as part of the Millennium Link project funded by the National Lottery.

The Glasgow Branch diverges from the main line of the Canal for nearly 3 miles to Spiers Wharf. An extension to Port Dundas basin opened in 2007. The Waterways Trust Scotland, British Waterways Scotland and Glasgow City Council have a number of projects underway to raise awareness of the regenerated waterway amongst the North Glasgow community.