£1 million for the Highlands dredging

The Scottish Government has awarded £1 million of additional funding to Scottish Canals to undertake vital dredging works in the Highlands this winter.

Dredging will take place across the Caledonian and Crinan Canals from January 2021. During the works, contractors will remove some 20,000 tonnes of material which will make the canals easier to navigate.

“It is fantastic news that the Caledonian and Crinan canals will see an extra £1 million investment towards dredging. This funding is part of the Government’s £230 million Return to Work Package,” said Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

Dredging will take place between Laggan Spout and Kytra throughout February and March 2021 ahead of the season.

According to the Scottish Canals, works will commence at Ardrishaig Harbour on the Crinan Canal in January 2021. The works will take place at locations along the length of the canal until March 2021.

This spend on dredging is part of a much wider investment in the Crinan Canal this winter. This will see the replacement of lock gates one to four as well as improvements to existing bridge infrastructure at Cairnbaan, Oakfield and Crinan Ferry Bridge.