Forth & Clyde Canal: Lock gate replacement works, Lock 5, Falkirk

More than 20 years since the Forth & Clyde Canal re-opened as part of the £83.4m Millennium Link Project the canal is set to undergo a major lock-gate refurbishment and replacement programme. 

Works will be prioritised and planned over the next 10 years or so to ensure the canal can continue to operate safely for the next 20 plus years. 

Gates at Lock 5, Falkirk on the Forth & Clyde Canal will be replaced with new hard wood timber lock gates, dewatering of the lock chamber will be required during these works. 

This section of canal will be closed to navigation between Monday 8th January 2024 - 31st March 2024 in preparation for the new season.  

A towpath closure will be in place at Lock 6 and access to towpath at Grahams Road.

As part of these works, we will require the use of the full width of towpath which will prevent any passage of pedestrians or cyclists. For this reason, we will require to close the towpath and adjoining access points at Merchiston Lock 6 to Grahams Road, please see location plan below.      

During the works, towpath access between these locations will be closed. An alternative route for pedestrian and cyclists will be put in place and we would ask you to kindly follow the diversions route as shown below.

The diversion off the canal towpath, from the west side will be Merchiston Road, Merchiston Avenue, Grahams Road and in reverse approaching from the east side.

Foot access from Gowan Avenue across Lock 6 onto the towpath to travel South will be maintained during the works.