British Waterways issues Crinan Canal ice warning

With freezing conditions set to last for some time, British Waterways Scotland has issued a warning, urging local residents and visitors to take care in and around the Crinan Canal over the coming weeks, particularly on icy or frosty days.

No one should even consider walking on frozen water under any circumstances – no matter how tempting this may be.

The nine mile long Crinan Canal is visited all year round by walkers, joggers, boaters and cyclists and can look particularly attractive during the snowy weather, but British Waterways Scotland’s message is to stay SAFE (Stay Away From the Edge).

Towpaths, bridges and lock-sides can be particularly slippery during the winter months and snow can conceal trip hazards such as boat mooring rings close to the water’s edge.

Anyone, child or adult, falling onto and through the ice will not durvive the experiencde. With the necessary steep sides to the canal, access for rescuers is all but impossible and with ice in unpredictable conditions, rescue attempts could end in further tragedies.

Adults should also ensure that children walking or cycling near the canal are aware of the dangers of getting too close to the edge.

Pets should be kept under control at all times. This is not only for their own sake but because deaths in ice and by drowning happen quite commonly when people are desperate to rescue a pet that has got into danger.

Phil Martin, Lowlands Waterway Manager for British Waterways Scotland, says: ‘Winter is a lovely time to visit the Crinan Canal. Indeed, the reflection of frost, ice and snow on the canal makes it a particularly attractive time to walk along the canalside, take photographs, draw or paint.

‘It is vital, though, that people recognise that they need to take extra care. Children, in particular, should always be accompanied by an adult when they visit the canal and should be made aware of the potential hazards and the need to stay SAFE and Stay Away From the Edge at all times’.

British Waterways Scotland has also reminded boat owners that the Crinan Canal is currently closed to transit vessels whilst essential engineering work is undertaken at Bellanoch. It will reopen on 15th March 2010.

For more information about planning a safe visit to the waterways, visit Wild Over Waterways and look here for more information on Scotland’s canals.