£1.65m Caledonian Canal lock gates work at Fort Augustus to run until spring, says Scottish Canals
Essential £1.65 million works to upgrade lock gates at Fort Augustus will get under way later this month, Scottish Canals has announced.
Contractors will replace the lock gate cills on the floors of the lock chambers against which the gates seal shut.
The workers from Mackenzie Construction are expected to arrive on site from Monday, December 16 and will begin setting up their site compound ahead of work on the lock gates beginning on Monday, January 6.
Holidaymakers are being warned that the compound will be erected on the site of the canal’s motorhome parking area, but stressed that the lock gate project is aiming to be finished for the start of the 2025 tourist season in the spring.
A spokesperson for Scottish Canals said: “The works are planned to run during the current canal winter closure and alongside the planned Bear Scotland Fort Augustus road bridge essential engineering works to minimise the impact locally.
“Site hours will be from 7am to 7pm daily; we will advise in advance via our project and ongoing works webpages and social media, should any activity require the team to be onsite outwith these hours.
“We recognise that there will be some unavoidable disruption, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. In order to keep this disruption to a minimum, the team will be working over weekends, ensuring the programme is completed as quickly as is safely possible.
“Some of the works in dewatered lock chambers will be particularly noisy; the team will - as far as possible - carry these works out between 8am and 6:30pm. Please be assured that we will be working with Mackenzie Construction to do all we can to minimise any impact, as far as practicable, throughout the works.
“As custodians of Scotland’s canals, we have a duty of care for the continued operation of the canal, as well as for all those who work, live, or visit us here. These winter works will play a vital part in ensuring that the Caledonian Canal continues to attract thousands of visitors by land and water for many years to come.”
Notice of road and towpath closures will be updated on Scottish Canal’s ongoing works webpage.
It will also share important updates on the Caledonian Canal Facebook page.
You can also receive email updates on the works’ progress by letting Scottish Canals know by emailing FAWinterWorks@scottishcanals.co.uk.
