THE Forth and Clyde Canal is to be brought into the 21st century as the historic waterway is linked to the heart of new communities.

Scottish Canals, the public body responsible for managing the country's inland waterways, is preparing an investment strategy designed to see more people living alongside the canal, more businesses on its banks and more tourism and leisure activities on the water to generate income.

The canal, which runs from River Clyde at Bowling in West Dunbartonshire to Grangemouth on the River Forth, with a branch from Maryhill into Port Dundas near the city centre, will be a major focus in a nationwide strategy.

Already plans for a watersports centre at Port Dundas are in place and, if Glasgow is successful in its bid, the site is expected to be used for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Some canal areas, like Maryhill, have seen pockets of new housing and a company has been set up to secure investment to buy up canal-side land for regeneration projects.

More homes, houseboats and new businesses are expected to turn derelict, old industrial sites into new communities.

Transport Minister Keith Brown announced the renewed plan to transform the country's canals in the Scottish Parliament.

He said: "We have outlined our aspirations for the future of Scotland's canals over the next five to 10 years following the successful transition from British Waterways to Scottish Canals in 2012.

"Our canals are important assets that we wish to see utilised."

The Forth and Clyde Canal will be targeted for housing, business and leisure while other Scottish canals, such as the Caledonian and Crinan will see more holiday homes, boosting the tourist economy.

Steve Dunlop, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said the switch from a UK organisation to a Scottish one freed up investment and allowed a greater focus to be placed on the Scottish waterways.

He said: "We can now tailor our resources to look at the opportunities of each canal."

He said there would me more investment in Speirs Wharf and more housing in Maryhill and other areas, as well as increased leisure facilities.

He added: "The Forth and Clyde Canal offers potential of wider regeneration.

"We will see transformation in that regeneration and not just as a water space.

"The canal will be part of infrastructure."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk