Storm Eowyn: Temporary Suspension of Navigation- Forth & Clyde and Union Canals

Update 11th April:

Navigable areas of the Forth & Clyde Canal:

Lock 16, Camelon to the Glasgow Branch is navigable. However, please exercise caution between Bonnybridge and Kirkintilloch due to fallen trees from Storm Eowyn. Contractors are actively working to clear these trees, which have fallen from the offside embankment into the water channel.

Remaining closed areas:

Lock 21 towards Bowling remains closed due to floating debris and ongoing weed clearing operations following Storm Eowyn.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to restore more navigability to the canal.

Update 23rd March:

The Union Canal is now fully open to navigation following the removal of disruptions along its remaining sections. However, the Forth & Clyde Canal still has some trees obstructing transit, and navigation remains suspended in this area.

Update 3rd March:

Forth & Clyde Canal-

-The towpath at Lock 36 near Duntreath Avenue in Glasgow has been cleared and has reopened.

-The two fallen trees on the towpath between Westerton and Netherton in Glasgow have now been cleared.

-At Bowling in West Dunbartonshire the large tree leaning onto the Bowline has been cleared and access to the area is open again.

-The fallen tree between Stockingfield Bridge and Lambhill Bridge in Glasgow has been partially removed and the towpath has now reopened.

Update 18th February:

The section of canal between Edinburgh Quay and Ratho on the Union Canal have been cleared and is now navigable between these two points.

Update 3rd February:

Forth & Clyde Canal- 

-The towpath at Lock 36 near Duntreath Avenue in Glasgow is currently closed for safety reasons due to storm debris on the path. 

-There are also two fallen trees on the towpath in Glasgow between Westerton and Netherton resulting in restricted access for cyclists and pedestrians. 

-At Bowling in West Dunbartonshire, there is a large tree leaning onto the Bowline and access to this area has been closed off to protect the public. The beach can still be accessed by going up and over the viaduct. 

-There is a tree down blocking the towpath in Glasgow between Stockingfield Bridge and Lambhill Bridge restricting access for cyclists and pedestrians.

Monkland Canal-

-There is a tree down on the towpath in Calderbank, North Lanarkshire blocking access to pedestrians and cyclists near Maggie's Bridge.

Update 30th January:

Forth & Clyde Canal- Our teams are working to clear debris along the canal network but there is still restricted access with trees across the towpaths between locks 17 and 18, between Auchinstarry and Hillhead bridge, and also on the towpath east of Hungryside Bridge.

Union Canal- There are several trees down on the towpath of the Union Canal. Our teams have been out across the full stretch of the canal and made these areas passable, however towpath users should proceed with caution whilst we work to remove the trees.

Due to fallen trees and debris affecting multiple areas of the Forth & Clyde, Union, and Monkland canals we are recommending boaters and other waterway users (paddlers) do not move around the network at this time. 

Please bear with us whilst we clear the navigation channel to allow the canals to safely re-open as soon as possible. 

We continue to encourage towpath users to proceed with caution as restrictions are in place. 

We will update the this page as we begin to re-open sections of the canal to navigation, please check back here before planning any journeys.