Hopes are rising that the planned seven-month closure of the Crinan Canal for essential works could be shortened – a move that would limit the loss of income for local businesses and curtail disruption for residents near the waterway.
Scottish Canals has said the last transit entry into the Crinan Canal will be on Saturday October 21 and it expects to reopen the canal in mid-May 2024, with contractors finishing on site in mid-June.
However, businesses in the Crinan area say the projected closure is too long and are demanding the canal reopen to navigation by Good Friday on March 29, 2024, so that business can resume at the Easter holidays.
Scottish Canals chief operating officer Richard Millar has offered to meet business owners and community councillors in the Crinan area who have expressed their anger at the seven-month closure.
This will be the third year of the Crinan Canal winter works programme.
Frances Macdonald, owner of the Crinan Hotel, and North Knapdale Community Council secretary Richard Stein, are leading the campaign to shorten the period required for the works.
Scottish Canals said the canal’s existing sea lock gates are at their end of life and would not get through another season. Principal contractors Mackenzie Construction have already begun preparations on site.
Stein said: “It’s not just businesses that are affected … users of the canal and local residents are massively inconvenienced by these extended works.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf, who attended the Scottish Government’s travelling cabinet in Inveraray on Monday, was asked about a potential solution to the current standoff between Scottish Canals and local businesses.
The First Minister said businesses were “understandably” upset at the disruption to their operations and potential financial damage.
“I get it from the business perspective because the summer season begins a lot earlier now,” said Mr Yousaf.
“If Scottish Canals can shorten that work I’m sure they absolutely will, but that’s a decision for them.”
It is understood that contractors Mackenzie Construction may be asked to look once again at the projected timeframe for the works.
In a letter to Mr Millar, Mr Stein said: “We are grateful for the efforts to develop an alternative working methodology to reduce the disruptive impact on local communities.
“We note the use of six day working for the installation and removal of the working platform. We would suggest that either this or the use of an increased workforce to speed up the works would allow the works to be completed during the proper winter closure period. ”
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It is understood that contractors Mackenzie Construction may be asked to re-examine the projected timeframe for the works.