The Helix (Falkirk)
The Kelpies, which tower over the new canal at The Helix
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 Location in Scotland
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| Official name | The Helix |
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| Coordinates | 56°00′04″N 3°47′02″W / 56.001°N 3.784°WCoordinates: 56°00′04″N 3°47′02″W / 56.001°N 3.784°W |
| Maintained by | Scottish Canals and Falkirk Council |
| Construction began | April 2006 (official planning) |
The Helix is a land transformation project to improve the connections between and around 16 communities in Falkirk District, Scotland, including the eastern end of the Forth and Clyde Canal, and to regenerate the area near where the canal joins the River Carron. The most visible feature of the development is the two unique equine sculptures known as The Kelpies.
The Forth and Clyde Canal was reopened as part of the Millennium Link project in 2001, and included the Falkirk Wheel, a 100 feet (30 m) revolving boat lift which connects it to the Union Canal. By 2014, the Falkirk Wheel had become one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions, second only to Edinburgh Castle among destinations that charge for entry. The canals from there to Glasgow and Edinburgh have also become popular, but the final 4 miles (6.4 km) of the Forth and Clyde Canal from the Wheel to Grangemouth, descending through a flight of 12 locks and two single locks, was little used. The final part of the route to the original outlet at Grangemouth Docks had been obliterated by the construction of a motorway, a road, housing and factories. An alternative route was opened; it connected to the River Carron through a sea lock further upstream, but was not ideal, as the river was crossed by two road bridges and two pipe bridges below the entrance lock. This provided limited headroom when the tide was high, and insufficient water to enter the lock when it was low; an alternative route was therefore sought.
The opportunity to remedy the situation and to make the eastern end of the canal more accessible to the general public was provided by the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks programme. £140 million of funding was on offer, and in 2005 the Helix project was awarded one of the top four prizes, which kick-started the £43 million project. The plans included a new 950-yard (870 m) section of canal, which would join the river below the four fixed bridges at a new sea lock. A new tunnel under the M9 motorway would be constructed by cut and cover methods, and a lift bridge would be inserted into the A905 road. The plans also included the re-routing of two high-pressure oil pipelines which crossed the area to feed the refinery at Grangemouth.
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Wikipedia