North Canal Bank Clydebank

In a town centre location, adjacent to the Forth & Clyde Canal, Clydebank public realm comprised high brick walls, dense vegetation and narrow dark pathways, and were perceived as unsafe and a focus for antisocial behaviour. The North Canal bank project has transformed the canal side environment on the north bank of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Clydebank town centre. The project creates a more user friendly space in which to enjoy the canal side setting, introduce new activities and improve connectivity with the shopping centre and car parking area. Extensive community consultation helped shape the design process. The newly transformed public realm features heated granite seats - "bankies benches" – a collaboration with NORD architects, and a "memory line" to communicate the history of the area, designed by local school children A key element was to open up the edge of the canal to encourage more use, the waters edge barriers were removed and replaced by a boardwalk, with a decked stepped area down to the water. As well as proving to be a popular amenity and outlook, it has encouraged more moorings, and access by the local canoe and model boat clubs.