Forth & Clyde Canal: Lock 20, Wyndford bypass works

Using an investment of £448,000 and working in partnership with Scottish Water, we are constructing a lock bypass and reinstating a section of towpath for public use. These works will improve water control and will be linked to the smart canal operating systems. The first installations of these technologies, which monitor weather and automatically lower water levels to absorb surface water run-off, took place in North Glasgow from 2018. We are now adding this functionality to locks at the Falkirk end of the canal, starting at Lock 20 (Wyndford Road).

The works, which will be carried out by Scottish Canals' framework contractor Mackenzie Construction Limited, will begin on Monday, November 25th, and are expected to complete in early April 2025.

Information for visitors and residents

Throughout the project, the site compound will be based at the Scottish Canals Lock 20 car park. The canal towpath will be closed with a diversion route signposted.  In the interests of public safety, we will need to close one side of Wyndford Road and put traffic lights in place from Monday 3rd March 2025.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Scottish Canals on enquiries@ScottishCanals.co.uk or on 0141 332 6936 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm and Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm). For urgent contact (to report a situation that is an emergency), the number is 0800 072 9900.

Update - Lowering of water levels (24.12.2024)

To facilitate the bypass installation, the water levels between locks 19 and 20 will be lowered (by a maximum of 320mm) on Tuesday 7th January and will be raised again in the week commencing 24th March (exact date to be confirmed). We expect that the lowering of the levels could impact the navigability of the route for deeper drafted vessels. All vessel owners are requested to contact the Scottish Canals team before attempting to navigate this section of the canal during this time. 

Update - Pontoon currently out of use (23.01.2025) 

To ensure the construction team has sufficient space to work on the masonry walls of the lock, the pontoon is temporarily closed to boats and signage is in place.