Mitigation of leakage on the Kelvin Aqueduct, Maryhill
The Kelvin Aqueduct is an outstanding piece of canal engineering. At the time of its construction, more than 230 years ago, it was Britain’s largest aqueduct and a prototype for many later structures built on Scotland’s canal network.
To this day, it continues to carry the Forth & Clyde Canal across the deep valley of the River Kelvin, allowing boats to pass over the river on their way between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde.
Like all historic infrastructure, the aqueduct requires ongoing maintenance to manage the effects of natural weathering, water leakage, and the self-seeding of vegetation within its masonry.
Affected Activities
- Forth & Clyde and Union Canals walk
Timeline and diversions
Our contractor Mackenzie Construction Ltd is currently dewatering the canal between Lock 24 and conducting fish rescues.
Navigation is now suspended from Bowling Harbour to Lock 21 until our investigation of the leakage is complete. We plan to reopen the canal to navigation on Wednesday 13th May.
Once dewatering is completed, in late February, they will begin work to mitigate the leak in the short term (by laying down additional clay on the canal bed) and to investigate its source so that we can understand the best approach to fixing it permanently. We will also take the opportunity to clear self-seeded saplings and vegetation from the structure.
Update: 26th February
The fish rescue, conducted by APEM, is underway along the section of canal set for dewatering. Fish are being moved from here to other sections of the canal ahead of the full dewatering and engineering works.
The current towpath diversion will remain in place while the canal is dewatered and the work is completed. An alternative route is shown below and signposted along the canal.
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at enquiries@scottishcanals.co.uk or on 0141 332 6936 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am-5pm, Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm).
Photo credits: © Copyright Richard Sutcliffe