GLASGOW'S Forth and Clyde canal area is to benefit from a £566million regeneration of the canal corridor which is getting underway.

For almost 200 years the Forth and Clyde canal was a vital link for boats travelling from one side of Scotland to the other.

However, it suffered as seagoing vessels were built larger and could no longer pass through.

The increasing popularity of the railway also impacted on the success of the canal and in the mid 1960s, a decision was made to close it.

For decades, the land beside the canal was virtually ignored as developments sprung up across other parts of Glasgow.

Today all that has changed and a £566million regeneration of the canal corridor between the Pinkston basin and Maryhill Locks.

It will transform an area that has slowly been reborn over the past decade after many years in the wilderness.

The city council has been working with Scottish Canals and Bigg Regeneration along with many others including local housing associations to deliver the regeneration.

Key areas are Sighthill, Pinkston basin, Port Dundas, Speirs Locks, Applecross basin, Firhill basin and Maryhill Locks.

New developments already in place are Pinkston Paddlesports Centre, the striking new Maryhill Housing Association canal side properties and the cultural quarter on both sides of the canal.

Construction sites have sprung up along the banks, others have planning permission and work to combat flooding means more land will be made available for housing, offices and other uses.

Thousands new homes will be built close to the canal between 2017 and 2027 in Dundashill, Cowlairs, Hamiltonhill, Possilpark, Maryhill, Sighthill and Ruchill.

Almost 2000 will be houses, more than1000 will be flats and 600 will be socially rented properties.

There is also the potential for custom built homes on the canal similar to what can be found in Amsterdam.

And a park is to be created along the canal featuring sculptural signs and street lighting.

Other proposals include the refurbishment of the currently derelict Old Basin House at Applecross Street in Hamiltonhill into a flexible and affordable space available for local community organisations.

An allotment and community growing space is being developed at Rodney Street, the multi-storey flats at Cedar Court are being refurbished to create community based spaces for events, activities and community enterprises.

And a local nature reserve will provide mountain bike trails and public walkways on what is currently vacant land.

The development of the 100 Acre Hill site is said to be key to the regeneration of the north canal areas as it will improve connections between the city centre, Sighthill and Possilpark.

It has the potential capacity for up to 500 homes and 6000sq m of commercial space.

City council leader Frank McAveety said: "It is a real pleasure to see the regeneration of the canal in Glasgow and over the next decade we can expect to see the area completely transformed.

"New homes, community facilities and visitor attractions will make this a great place in which to live, work and visit.

"It is fair to say the canal was a forgotten waterfront of Glasgow but no longer and we can look forward to this part of the city playing a key role in our social, cultural and economic life now and in the future."