Towpath Talk

Work starts on new canal marina in Winchburgh

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A NEW canal marina in Winchburgh is starting to take shape after Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd awarded the contract to Scottish engineerin­g firm I&H Brown.

The first phase of the build will include constructi­on of the marina basin which is due to open to canal users in spring 2021. Following this, work will begin on a second phase which will include further landscapin­g, as well as pontoons, moorings and a facilities building.

Winchburgh Marina is the first new marina to open on the Union Canal since 2014 and includes 20 marina berths as well as new leisure and commercial spaces.

The opening of the marina comes as the Union Canal approaches its 200th anniversar­y, with the constructi­on of the canal taking four years from 1818 to 1822.

The marina will be located at the heart of the new town centre and will connect via a footbridge to the new Daisy Park, as well as providing access to the Union Canal towpath. A further 29 canal moorings will be added in a final phase of the developmen­t.

Pierre Puyrigaud, senior developmen­t manager, Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd, commented: “For the past 10 years we have been working closely with Scottish Canals to fulfil our ambition to deliver a new marina on the Union Canal at Winchburgh. It’s very exciting for us and the entire community to now see work beginning on site.

“This new marina will provide a host of amenities for locals and visitors, including new leisure facilities, opportunit­ies for new restaurant and cafe spaces, and new homes.”

Catherine Topley, CEO, Scottish Canals added: “The start of works at Winchburgh Marina cements Scottish Canals’ place within this historic village and demonstrat­es our commitment to

regenerati­ng Scotland’s canal network.

“This fantastic developmen­t will create new and exciting opportunit­ies for people to live and work on our canals for years to come. The new marina at Winchburgh coincides with the 200th anniversar­y of the opening of the Union Canal, showcasing that Scotland’s canals have adapted to meet the needs of the 21st century.”

Pete Nisbet, vice-chairman of Winchburgh Community Council said: “It’s no secret that back in 2005 when we first saw these plans, many locals never believed that they would see the day that Winchburgh would have its own marina. Needless to say, everyone is thrilled now that this indeed is going to become a reality. It’s a real boost for the community to see work commencing and something that we can all now look forward to watching take shape.”

Duncan Brown, director, I&H Brown added: “We have been working with Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd for a number of years supporting the delivery of the Winchburgh masterplan. We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to construct the new canal marina which is so crucial to the success of this developmen­t and will provide a great focal point for the community alongside the new town centre.”

Winchburgh’s canal marina will provide new leisure facilities for both the local community and visitors, including new commercial spaces suitable for restaurant and cafe facilities. It will be well connected to the town’s other green spaces, including the new Daisy Park, via a network of footpaths as well as national cycle routes, ensuring that it is easily accessible.

Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd has also announced a new contract with J Smart & Co for 64 new apartments and townhouses overlookin­g the marina. Canal Quarter will comprise a total of 50 one-, two- and threebed apartments as well as 14 three-bed townhouses set within landscaped grounds.

Many of the apartments will enjoy views looking out across the new marina, to the canal and beyond.

Spanning 352 hectares, Winchburgh is one of the largest and most exciting place-making projects currently under way in the UK, delivering new green spaces including the 78-acre Auldcathie District Park, new stateof-the-art schools, at least 3800 new homes, improved transport links and employment opportunit­ies.

TWENTY-four passengers were injured, some requiring hospital treatment, when PS Waverley hit the pier at Brodick, Isle of Arran, at around 5pm on Thursday, September 3.

Eyewitness­es described the paddler’s bows striking the pier sharply, damaging the vessel and throwing some of the 213 passengers and 26 crew around the boat with the force of the impact.

The accident is now being investigat­ed by the Marine and Coastguard Agency. Waverley Excursions, which had decided to extend the iconic ship’s sailing season until September 12 to meet demand for cruises, has now cancelled all further sailings this season.

The incident was attended by police, fire, ambulance and coastguard service units and uninjured passengers were taken by CalMac ferry to the mainland. Waverley will now have to be dry-docked at Greenock to assess the damage and for repairs to be carried out in what represents a significan­t setback for the ship, which had returned to service after a successful boiler renewal appeal.

Waverley Excursions says that it is working with the Marine and Coastguard Agency to establish the cause of the collision as well as launching its own internal enquiry.

 ?? PHOTO SUPPLIED ?? Marking the start of work on the Winchburgh Marina project are, from left, Duncan Brown, I&H Brown; Pete Nisbet, Winchburgh Community Council; Catherine Topley, CEO, Scottish Canals and Pierre Puyrigaud, senior developmen­t manager, Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd.
PHOTO SUPPLIED Marking the start of work on the Winchburgh Marina project are, from left, Duncan Brown, I&H Brown; Pete Nisbet, Winchburgh Community Council; Catherine Topley, CEO, Scottish Canals and Pierre Puyrigaud, senior developmen­t manager, Winchburgh Developmen­ts Ltd.
 ?? PHOTO COURTESY GAVIN SAXBY ?? The damage to Waverley’s soon after the impact.
bow is evident in this shot taken at Brodick,
PHOTO COURTESY GAVIN SAXBY The damage to Waverley’s soon after the impact. bow is evident in this shot taken at Brodick,
 ?? PHOTO: WAVERLEY EXCURSIONS LTD ?? For further informatio­n please visit www.winchburgh­developmen­ts. com
Any enquiries relating to availabili­ty of commercial space at Winchburgh Marina should be directed to Simon Bashford at Eric Young & Co. Email SBashford@ eyco.co.uk or call 0131 558 5118.
The LNER-built last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, Waverley steamed down the Clyde for the first time in 22 months on Thursday, August 13, when she set out from Greenock’s Custom House Quay for the first day of sea trials with her new boilers.
PHOTO: WAVERLEY EXCURSIONS LTD For further informatio­n please visit www.winchburgh­developmen­ts. com Any enquiries relating to availabili­ty of commercial space at Winchburgh Marina should be directed to Simon Bashford at Eric Young & Co. Email SBashford@ eyco.co.uk or call 0131 558 5118. The LNER-built last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, Waverley steamed down the Clyde for the first time in 22 months on Thursday, August 13, when she set out from Greenock’s Custom House Quay for the first day of sea trials with her new boilers.

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