The awards, run by The Waterways Trust,
reward exceptional projects that have turned inland waterways into
desirable places for living, learning and leisure.
The Canal Strategy is the result of partnership work between the
City of Edinburgh Council and
Scottish Canals.
Councillor Gordon Munro, Edinburgh Canal
Champion, said: "I'm really pleased that all the detailed
planning and consultation that went into producing the strategy has
been acknowledged with this award. To achieve national recognition
against some very strong competition is great for everyone
involved.
"We now have to make sure that the strategy results in the
development of the canal so more people from across Edinburgh, and
beyond, can appreciate all that it has to offer."
Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive, of Scottish
Canals, said: "Winning this award is a great
acknowledgement of the work and thought everyone has put into the
Edinburgh Canal Strategy.
"There is a real commitment and momentum now to see this happen
from the City of Edinburgh Council, the community, waterway users
and Scottish Canals and the award will be a great boost setting us
on our way."
Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive of The Waterways
Trust, said: "The development of the Edinburgh Union Canal
Strategy involved extensive consultation with the local community,
canal users and key stakeholder groups, and their ideas have been
firmly embedded in the final strategy document. This approach,
together with the detailed delivery plan, marked this project out
as a winner in a very competitive field."
After a series of focus groups, consultation events and
collaboration with key canal users, the Edinburgh Union Canal
Strategy was approved in December 2011. It was officially launched
at the start of this year.
Notes to Editors:
The strategy aims to ensure the maximum use of the 200-year-old
waterway by locals and visitors to Edinburgh through a wide range
of activities like boating, rowing, walking, cycling and
fishing.
It hopes to create seven 'hubs' along the waterway and develop a
new 'canal culture' by encouraging recreational, business and
community uses at Ratho, Wester Hailes, Meggetland, Harrison Park
and the Lochrin Basin.
Highlights include Meggetland becoming a centre of excellence
for water sports on the canal and the Lochrin Basin becoming an
overnight mooring destination in the city.
There are also plans for Harrison Park to improve visitor
moorings and picnic facilities. In the west of the city, there will
also be new buildings and improved links with the Edinburgh Canal
Centre and the Ratho Adventure Centre.
Issues such as access, lighting, moorings, developments, public
art and renewable energy will also be looked at across the length
of the 16km canal. A delivery plan has been drawn up to outline the
key actions needed to be taken to develop the strategy.
Noel Miller, Media Officer, City of Edinburgh
Council
0131 529 4440
noel.miller@edinburgh.gov.uk