| The
Forth & Clyde Canal |
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If
you live anywhere within Central Scotland you will be aware of the
vast amount of work being done on the Union and Forth and Clyde
Canals. It has been a lot of work, but everything is taking
shape and is well on track for the 1st May opening. |
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What's Being Done ? |
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- So
far, more than £60m has been spent on construction works. A total
of 24 bridges have been constructed and opened to traffic, 2
opening bridges have been re-commissioned, 9 new locks have been
built, and over 4km of new canal channel has been formed. Repairs
have been carried out to most of the 40 locks and the installation
of 34 pairs of new timber lock gates is nearing completion.
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What is the Falkirk Wheel ? |
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- The centerpiece of the
Millennium Link canal project is undoubtedly the Falkirk
Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift.
It is designed to reconnect the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals
between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A new visitor center will provide a vantage point from which to
view the Wheel in action, and visitors will be able to experience
the thrill of The Wheel from special "trip" boats at the site.
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Wheel Facts & Figures |
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- The only structure of
its kind in the world, the Falkirk Wheel will be 115 feet (35m)
high, 115 feet (35m) wide and 100 feet (30m) long.
- It will lift loads of
600 tonnes (300 tonnes at each end)
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It will be able to carry eight
or more boats at a time.
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A single trip will take about
15 minutes
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The total cost of the Wheel is approximately £17 million, included
in this price is a new aqueduct, a new canal link and basin.
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Who's Paying
the Bills ? |
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- The cost of the
restoration is being paid for by various organisations,
including the Millennium Commission, the European Union, Scottish
Enterprise and various Local Authorities across Scotland.
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