Edinburgh Canal Strategy Consultation Document

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy
CONSULTATION
October 2010
The Edinburgh Canal Strategy Consultation
2 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

S ince it’s re-birth as part of the Millennium Link Project the Union Canal has come a long way from a derelict
backwater to become one of Edinburgh’s most important heritage, recreational and community assets.
The Union Canal is now enjoyed on a daily basis by people from across
The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and British Waterways
the city and beyond for a variety of uses such as boating, rowing,
Scotland (BWS) are preparing a strategy for the Union Canal
walking, cycling and fishing.
within the Edinburgh area to guide its development.
The Union Canal is also a focus for new development, particularly at

This consultation document sets out opportunities for
Fountainbridge, for new canal boat moorings and marina’s and for
discussion with the wider community; at the end of which CEC
canal-focused community activities. However, as the canal is developed,
and BWS hope to promote a vision of the place we wish the
it must also be protected and its potential maximised for the for the
Union Canal to be.
benefit of the wider community and environment.
City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 3

Scotland’s Canals
S cotland’s canal network is over 200 years old and travels for
137 miles from Loch Ness in the north to Fort William and
Glasgow in the west, via Falkirk to Edinburgh in the East. The
Scottish canal network is a national and international asset, not
just for its recreational value, but as for its important industrial
heritage.
The Scottish canal network is made up of 5 canals, in the Highlands - the Caledonian
and the Crinian, and in the Lowlands - the Monkland, the Forth and Clyde and the
Edinburgh and Glasgow Union, known more simply as The Union Canal.

The Union Canal
H istor y
Designed by the engineer Hugh Baird, the 31.5 mile Union Canal was But the turn of the millennium saw an extensive restoration program made
built in only 4 years between 1818 and 1822 at a cost of £461,760 – possible by the millennium lottery fund; the Millennium Link Project restored
twice its initial estimate. The Canal was built using picks, shovels and the Union Canal to its former glory re-instating the waterway at Wester
wheelbarrows by labourers known as navigators – ‘navvies’. Many Hailes. The canal was re-opened to navigation in 2001 and now links the
immigrants came from Ireland to work on the canal including notably heart of Edinburgh to Glasgow via the spectacular Falkirk Wheel.
William Burke and William Hare.
The Union Canal was built to transport coal into to the city and waste
and horse manure out. Later, the canal was also used to transport
passengers – a swift boat could reach Falkirk in 3.5 hours and at its peak
in 1836 was used annually by 200,000 passengers.
However, in 1842, the opening of the Edinburgh Glasgow railway led to

passengers and goods moving away from the canal to this new faster
means of transport. Use of the canal declined and in 1965 an Act of
Parliament closed the canal to navigation, the canal fell into disrepair and
was eventually severed by the M8 motorway and housing development
at Wester Hailes.

H eritage
Whilst it was the last of the Scottish Canals to be built, the Union Canal is
a significant industrial heritage asset not just for the city, but nationally
and internationally and is recognised as such by its scheduled ancient
monument status.
The Union Canal was built as a ‘contour canal’ - it follows a 73m contour
throughout its length. The canal has no locks; instead it travels over
three aqueducts, including the second largest aqueduct in Britain - the
Avon Aqueduct by Linlithgow, Slateford Aqueduct that takes the canal
over the Water of Leith in Edinburgh and the Almond Aqueduct near
Ratho.
The canal also passes through the oldest and longest canal tunnel
in Scotland - the 631m Falkirk Tunnel. At the Edinburgh end, the
Leamington lift bridge can be found at Fountainbridge. This hydraulic
bridge was built in 1906 by Armstrong of Newcastle and was refurbished
and re-opened as part of the Millennium Link Project in 2002.

The Union Canal in Edinburgh
T he Union Canal in Edinburgh runs for 16km between and through the communities of Ratho, Wester Hailes,
Longstone, Craiglockhart, Merchiston, Polwarth and Tollcross, terminating at Fountainbridge in the city centre.
The canal also passes Harrison Park, Meggetland and Hailes Park, and crosses over the Water of Leith via the 180m
long Slateford Aqueduct.
The Union Canal is not just a heritage asset for Edinburgh, but also a navigable waterway for boating, an important wildlife habitat, a walking and
cycling route, and a focus for new canal side development and for local community use.

The Union Canal Waterway
T raditionally canals were navigated by canal boats

or ‘narrow boats’ designed to carry goods on the
narrow canals. Larger, wider boats such as ‘barges’ were
also used. Today, many of these boats can still be seen
moored at Lochrin Basin or along the canal banks at
Harrison Park and at Ratho.
There are many types of moorings available on the Union Canal,

including long term moorings (otherwise known as home moorings)
used for the general berthing of a boat, visitor moorings for those
taking a holiday on the canal, commercial moorings for restaurants
and offices, and residential moorings for people who wish to live
permanently on a boat.
The waterway itself is not just used by canal boats, but also by canoes
and rowing boats. The St Andrew’s Rowing Club, George Watson’s
Rowing Club and Edinburgh University Rowing Clubs as well as the
Forth Canoe Club are all based on the Union Canal.

A W ildlife H abitat
The Union Canal is one of Edinburgh’s most important wildlife corridors,

with an astonishing range of different habitats, from slow flowing
freshwater with its adjacent reed fringe to grassland, hedgerow and
woodland.
There are ten different fish species including pike, perch, roach, carp
and tench, as well as dragonflies, damselflies and other invertebrates,
badgers, bats, otters and water voles. The canal also attracts a variety of
birdlife, ranging from the familiar mallard and coot to the not so familiar
kingfisher and cormorant.

Walking and C ycling
Whilst the Union Canal towpath was once used by horses, attached to
canal boats to pull them along the water, it is now a popular walking
and cycling route. Around seven million people use the canal’s towpath
annually, ranging from running to walking the dog.
The towpath connects Edinburgh to the west coast of Scotland, via

the 106km ‘Forth to Firth’ pathway and the 138km ‘Forth to Clyde’
cycle route (Sustrans route 75). The towpath is also popular for local
commuting, either via cycle or foot as it provides a direct traffic-free
route into the city centre.

C anal S ide D evelopment
Edinburgh Quay was the first significant commercial development to

take advantage of the reopening canal, built on a largely derelict land at
the canal’s Edinburgh terminus. As part of the development more than
5500sqm of office space has been created in the last five years. There has
also been a significant level of residential development around the canal
in the city with property situated at the water in Edinburgh being 10-15%
more expensive than surrounding properties.
There is still a significant amount of derelict land around the Union Canal,
particularly at Fountainbridge upon which further development is planned.
New development will be required to interact with the canal, as well as
protecting its heritage and biodiversity.
C ommunity U ses
The Union Canal in Edinburgh is promoted by the Edinburgh Canal Society,

which is based at Harrison Park, and two societies; The Seagull Trust (at
Ratho) and ReUnion (Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge) all making canal
boating available to all.
The annual Edinburgh Canal Festival provides a focus on the activities along
the canal where people of all ages can experience at first hand the appeal
of the canal, taking a trip on a boat, trying out canoeing, learning about the
canal’s wildlife or taking part in the raft race.


The Edinburgh Canal Strategy – consultation
T he development of a strategy for the Union Canal within Edinburgh provides the chance to discuss opportunities
to make the canal into a recognisable place whilst addressing issues that may impair its potential.
This document covers:
• issues and opportunities that have been identified for the Union
Canal
• Use of the canal waterway
• Planning policy principles
• Canal Hubs
• Ratho
• Wester Hailes
• Canal Quarter
The document poses a series of questions on each topic at the end of

each section.

O ppor tunities
A number of initial opportunities have been identified along the canal • Improving the environment by providing green space and
corridor which CEC and BWS wish to discuss with those who use and/ recreational facilities within the urban area,
or have an interest in the canal, these include:
• Improving physical and visual connections between the canal
corridor, the local communities and the wider City
• Improving the appeal and visibility of the canal as a tourist attraction

with accessible information on things to do and see;
• Offering opportunities for large and small scale development

ranging from new businesses and offices and shops to small scale
community housing and creating job opportunities,
• Creating new waterspace and moorings, in order to establish a

strong waterway community
• Improving and developing appropriate canal-side facilities for

boaters and non boaters including toilets, seating, signage, and
lighting,

• Managing competing canal and canal uses - canoeists, rowers,

leisure boaters, commercial craft, walkers, cyclists and anglers Q uestion 1
Do you consider that we have identified the full range of
• Stimulating confidence and pride within communities and improve
local use, using the canal as a catalyst to community regeneration
opportunities for the Union Canal?
If not, what alternatives or additions would you propose?
• Improving the sense of safety along the canal corridor, increasing
use, improving passive surveillance and preventing vandalism and, Q uestion 2
Can you identify where the opportunities can best be realised
• Improving the relationship of surrounding communities and access or achieved?
to the canal.
Q uestion 3
• Securing the future maintenance of the canal and canalside Can you identify any issues in achieving these opportunities, for
environment by securing support for the canal corridor from example where there may be conflicts?
canalside developments
• Utilising the Canal as a form of Sustainable Transport
• Exploring the canal as part of land drainage and water supply

Systems
• Considering how the canal can contribute to supporting climate

change, carbon reduction and Environmental Sustainability

U se of the canal water way P lanning policy principles
An established waterway community of boats is a strong indicator of It is important that the strategy promotes the proper integration
a healthy waterway corridor and acts as an attractor for wider use of between canal-side development and the canal corridor by establishing
the towpath by establishing confidence, colour and life in the place. appropriate design principles in terms of siting, massing, orientation,
However, It is recognised that a significant challenges exists in seeking grain, scale, connectivity and boundary treatments.
to maximise the potential of the canal through the development of
on and off line canal moorings and the provision of other essential
waterway facilities to stimulate sustainable waterway activity.
Q uestion 4 Q uestion 7
How can we achieve a sustainable canal waterway? What design guidelines should the Strategy propose to ensure
canal side developments relate to and enhance the local
Q uestion 5 identity of the waterway in the City?
What role should a Canal Strategy have in helping to achieve
this?
Q uestion 6
How can we improve the role of the Union Canal and Edinburgh
within the wider Scottish Waterway initiatives?

C anal H ubs
CANAL QUARTER
RATHO
WESTER HAILES
It is proposed that the Edinburgh Canal

Strategy is developed around a series of Q uestion 8
‘hubs’ within which canal moorings, canal-
Do you agree with the proposal to create canal hubs? If no, what should the strategy be?
side and canal-related development can be
focused. It is proposed that three hubs are Q uestion 9
developed at Ratho, Wester Hailes and the
Are these canal hubs in the correct place? If no, where should they be?
Edinburgh Canal Quarter.
Q uestion 10
Do you think we should add further hubs and where should they be?

Ratho ‘canal village ’

Q uestion 11
It is recognised that there is an opportunity at Ratho to enhance the Do you consider that building upon Ratho’s potential as a canal
recreational potential of the Canal, building on the Edinburgh Canal village is the correct approach? If not, what should the approach
Centre, links with the Ratho Adventure centre and its position as an be?
overnight mooring point between Linlithgow and Edinburgh. There are
Q uestion 12
a number of opportunities for improving the canal at Ratho including:
opportunities for the Ratho hub? If not, what alternatives or
• Access to canal,
additions would you propose?
• New boat moorings and the proposed marina at Freelands Road,
Q uestion 13
• Improving education, awareness, village information, and links with Within Ratho can you identify where the opportunities can best
existing community uses, and, be realised or achieved?
• Improving links east to city and west to the Ratho Adventure Centre.

BA
IR
D
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A
O
R
RO
S
D
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AD
L A
EE
FR
D
OA
K R
AR
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ET
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I LK
W
D
RATHO
A
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A

H
O
Y
RO
AD
CANAL POINTS OF ACCESS
TOW PATH LEISURE
ARTERIAL ROUTES FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SITES
POSSIBLE THROUGH ROUTE BUS STOPS
MOORINGS SEAGULL TRUST

Wester H ailes ‘community canal ’

Q uestion 14
Wester Hailes marks the entrance of the canal to the urban area of Do you consider that building upon Wester Hailes’s potential for
Edinburgh. However, it is recognised that substantial pro-active work developing a community canal is the correct approach? If not,
is required over time if the original regeneration theme of the canal what should the approach be?
is to hold good for Wester Hailes. Therefore the strategy proposes the
Q uestion 15
inclusion of community development where the key aim is to stimulate
a range of canal-side, recreational, business, and community uses whilst
opportunities for the Wester Hailes hub? If not, what alternatives
marking the arrival of canal users into Edinburgh. There are a number of
or additions would you propose?
opportunities for improving the canal at Wester Hailes including:
Q uestion 16:
• Creating community uses on the canal banks,
Within Wester Hailes can you identify where the opportunities
can best be realised or achieved?
• Promoting community pride in the canal
• Improving boaters perception of safety and enjoyment of the area
• Improving confidence in the waterway , increasing safety on and

along the canal through natural surveillance and environmental
improvements,
• The creation of a gateway to the city, and,
• Improving links to the town centre.

W
ES
H
A
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IV
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E N DRIVE
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WESTER HAILES W
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S
T
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CANAL MOORINGS
TOW PATH TOWN CENTRE
ARTERIAL ROUTES BUS STOPS
POSSIBLE THROUGH ROUTE RAILWAY STATIONS

T he ‘C anal Q uar ter ’

Q uestion 17
The Edinburgh Canal Quarter identifies the Edinburgh end of the Union Do you consider that building upon the city centre’s potential for
canal and stretches from Harrison Park in the west to Edinburgh Quay. developing a Canal Quarter is the correct approach? If not, what
should the approach be?
This includes the range of existing and new uses and developments
coming forward, linked by new water space, and high quality public Q uestion 18
realm, in a linear route to the City Centre. There are a number of
opportunities for improving the canal here including: opportunities for the Canal Quarter? If not, what alternatives or
additions would you propose?
• The creation of a waterway destination at the terminus of the
Union Canal, Q uestion 19
Within the Canal Quarter can you identify where the
• Improving the balance of uses both on and off water, to increase
opportunities can best be realised or achieved?
and sustain appropriate activity
• Improving access and linkages to and from surrounding area, and

along the towpath
• Potential for a water sports hub
• Potential for residential moorings
• Improving awareness of the canal
• Creation of a balanced variety new moorings and new waterspace
• Strong links with new development sites at Fountainbridge

CANAL QUARTER
CANAL POINTS OF ACCESS
TOW PATH LEISURE
GR
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G
OV
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IN
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T
T
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N
D
ARTERIAL ROUTES PARKLAND A U
ET
R
O FO
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LR
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D
POSSIBLE THROUGH ROUTE BUS STOPS
MOORINGS EDINBURGH CANAL SOCIETY

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image courtesy of Richard Dyson - trixtaphotography.com

What next?
I n order to consider the ‘opportunities’ and questions detailed in this document and the proposed ‘hub’ approach
a period of public consultation is proposed. Responses to this consultation document should be returned to the
Council by Friday 17th December 2010.
During the consultation period a number of community and stakeholder This document will be available at the Planning & Building Standards
workshops and events will be held within the three hubs (City Centre, reception area at the Council’s offices at Waverley Court, 4 East Market
Wester Hailes and Ratho), the Edinburgh Quay development and with Street, Edinburgh.
natural heritage bodies. The consultation workshops will run in October
and November 2010. It is expected that a draft Strategy, together with the results of the
consultation exercise will be reported to Planning Committee in early
If you would like to be involved in this consultation exercise the dates 2011.
and locations of the consultation meetings and events are available
on the Council Website www.edinburgh.gov.uk : search Edinburgh
Canal Strategy.
Alternatively, please do not hesitate can contact Kate Hopper or Craig

Wood of the Planning Service, City of Edinburgh Council on:
Kate kate.hopper@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 6232

Craig craig.wood@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 3904

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy
CONSULTATION
October 2010
You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us.
Please contact Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number
01050 . ITS can also give information on community language translations. You can get more copies of
this document by calling 0131 529 6232.

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The Edinburgh Canal Strategy

2 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Union Canal is also a focus for new development, particularly at

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 3

4 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Union Canal

However, in 1842, the opening of the Edinburgh Glasgow railway led to

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 5

6 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Union Canal in Edinburgh

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 7

The Union Canal Waterway

T raditionally canals were navigated by canal boats

There are many types of moorings available on the Union Canal,

8 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Union Canal is one of Edinburgh’s most important wildlife corridors,

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 9

Walking and C ycling

The towpath connects Edinburgh to the west coast of Scotland, via

10 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

C anal S ide D evelopment

Edinburgh Quay was the first significant commercial development to

The Union Canal in Edinburgh is promoted by the Edinburgh Canal Society,

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 11

12 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

The Edinburgh Canal Strategy – consultation

This document covers:

• Use of the canal waterway

• Planning policy principles

The document poses a series of questions on each topic at the end of

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 13

• Improving the appeal and visibility of the canal as a tourist attraction

• Offering opportunities for large and small scale development

• Creating new waterspace and moorings, in order to establish a

• Improving and developing appropriate canal-side facilities for

14 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

• Managing competing canal and canal uses - canoeists, rowers,

• Utilising the Canal as a form of Sustainable Transport

• Exploring the canal as part of land drainage and water supply

• Considering how the canal can contribute to supporting climate

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 15

U se of the canal water way P lanning policy principles

16 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

It is proposed that the Edinburgh Canal

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 17

Ratho ‘canal village ’

18 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

CANAL POINTS OF ACCESS

TOW PATH LEISURE

ARTERIAL ROUTES FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SITES

POSSIBLE THROUGH ROUTE BUS STOPS

MOORINGS SEAGULL TRUST

City of Edinburgh Council City Development October 2010 19

Wester H ailes ‘community canal ’

• Improving boaters perception of safety and enjoyment of the area

• Improving confidence in the waterway , increasing safety on and

• The creation of a gateway to the city, and,

• Improving links to the town centre.

20 October 2010 City of Edinburgh Council City Development

TOW PATH TOWN CENTRE

ARTERIAL ROUTES BUS STOPS

POSSIBLE THROUGH ROUTE RAILWAY STATIONS