Efforts to build the first stretch of canal in Scotland for more than a century took a step forward with the completion of a tunnel under the M90 motorway.
The planned one-kilometre extension will once again complete the Forth and Clyde Canal, which became the world’s first manmade, sea-to-sea ship canal when it opened in 1790.
It ceased to be sea-to-sea when the motorway was constructed in the 1960s but is to be restored as part of the ambitious Helix project.
The £43 million scheme is transforming 350 hectares of land between Falkirk and Grangemouth into a vibrant new parkland filled with visitor attractions.
It will feature a lagoon, wetland, forest, event space and over 27 kilometres of pathway, as well as a host of public artworks, including the Kelpies two colossal shimmering steel horse heads designed by leading Scottish artist Andy Scott.
A main part of the canal extension is the creation of a new sea lock at the River Carron and a lift-bridge.
These have been designed to allow larger and more varied boats to enter the Lowlands waterways for the first time.
In addition to creating a new visitor destination and marine hub in the Lowland canal network, the project will also boost Scotland’s cycle network, linking Sustrans routes, The John Muir Trail and the Bespoke Mountain Bike Trails the first of their kind in Falkirk.
New routes will create safe connections for communities in the Falkirk area and a Green Tourist Route will connect visitor destinations, such as the Falkirk Wheel.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “The Helix project is part of the continuing renaissance of Scotland’s inland waterways and allows us to connect the rich history of our canals to a promising future.
“It allows us to look forward to an exciting resurrection of our canals, which will not only see them become bustling centres of activity for recreation, tourism and sport for example, through the adjoining cycle paths but also as catalysts for wider regeneration.”
Steve Dunlop, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: “This is a hugely important project, not only for Falkirk but for Scotland as whole.”