Crinan Canal winter works: Bellanoch Bridge towpath closure

We continue to investigate and address the cause of a sinkhole that has appeared on a section of towpath close to Bellanoch Bridge. Sinkholes can indicate a more extensive deterioration in the structure of an embankment, which means that we do need to understand the root cause and take action to address it. 

In October 2025, we commissioned a geophysical survey of the embankment. A geophysical survey is a way of producing a 3D visualisation of the internal structure of an area of land using electrical currents. It has allowed us to map the interior of the embankment and has informed the best approach to repairing the structure. 

Scope of repair work

On Monday 9th February, Mackenzie Construction Ltd mobilised on site and then began dewatering a section of the canal adjacent to the sinkhole. They have now begun to excavate, backfill and rebuild this section of the embankment (approximately 30m in length and 5m wide), covering a more extensive area than historic repairs. They will then reline this section of the canal. 

We have avoided dewatering the entire stretch between locks 13 and 14, preferring a less intrusive approach of using dams and pumps to dewater just the section under repair. 

With works set to wrap up in mid-April, rewatering of the canal and reinstatement of the landscaping will progress over the final two weeks of the month. Rewatering will be done in gradual stages with constant monitoring of the water levels to ensure that the repaired embankments are loaded at a steady rate. The canal will re-open to navigation on Friday 1st May.

By conducting the works this winter, we can ensure that the towpath and national cycle route (78) can be re-opened to the public once the works are complete. With the risk of embankment failure addressed, we can avoid emergency closures of the canal and access routes in the future and pre-empt the risk of a future embankment failure. 

Update: 12th March 2026

The scope of work remains unchanged since our last update and repairs are progressing well.

Update: 26th February 2026

APEM completed the fish rescue last week with remaining fish in this section of the canal safely released. The repair phase of the project is now in progress.

Update: 18th February 2026

With the dams installed, our contractor APEM has returned to Crinan and is conducting the fish rescue this week, ahead of the dewatering of a short section of the canal. Once the canal is fully dewatered, Mackenzie Construction will then excavate, back-fill, and rebuild this section of the embankment ahead of the canal’s re-opening on 1st May. For the fish rescue, APEM captures fish using nets in the section of canal that is set for dewatering. They are then transferred to aerated tanks, where they are counted and identified, before being released unharmed into a different section of the canal. Fish rescues provide our Environment Team with a lot of information about the type and numbers of fish in the canal, which is a good indicator of the waterway’s overall ecological health.

Enquiries 

If you have any questions about the works, please get in touch with us at CrinanCanalUpdates@scottishcanals.co.uk or on 01546 603210 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).  Should you need to contact the team urgently out with these hours, please call Scottish Canals’ emergency number, 0800 072 9900 (open 24 hours a day for reporting an immediate threat to the environment, wildlife or public safety.