EXPERTS are calling for action to preserve and revitalise Glasgow’s ‘blue spaces’ after talking to hundreds of people who use the city’s canals and towpaths.

Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University will publish their findings from the first urban blue space survey to give the community a voice on Scotland’s World Water Day 2023 (March 22).

Lead researcher Niamh Smith has been investigating the health benefits of blue spaces for the past six years.

Glasgow Times: Niamh Smith, lead researcherNiamh Smith, lead researcher (Image: Paul Chappells)

She shared the views of more than 200 local people and findings from previous research with key stakeholders and produced a Leveraging Blue Space for Health blueprint for action and policy with 12 recommendations.

The communities involved in the latest research live around the Forth and Clyde Canal in North Glasgow in some of the most socio-economically deprived areas in Scotland.

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They are calling for more litter bins, cafes, restaurants, toilets and children’s play areas; improved signage, better lighting, designated cycle paths and improved path surface, along with more picnic areas and seating to enjoy the newly regenerated canal and towpaths.

People interviewed in the research also talked about how living near the canal had improved their lives, with comments including “it makes me feel a bit more alive and energetic”; “for my mental health, just being able to walk alongside the water is incredible”; “the water’s really relaxing”; and “the sound of the water really helps to calm me down”.

Hayden Atkin, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, and chairperson of the Canal Youth Forum, uses the towpaths regularly.

He said: “I think that the research has been really important. This community would like things like well-maintained spaces, well-lit spaces and I think this research will help this to happen.”

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Niamh has been researching the benefits of blue spaces with colleagues from the University’s Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) Professor Sebastien Chastin and Michail Georgiou, and Dr Zoe Tieges, from the SMART Technology Research Centre.

She explained: “We have looked at 20 years’ worth of data and we have now got solid evidence that there are benefits to having blue spaces on your doorstep.

“We have seen there’s an impact on physical health and mental health. This research is unique because this is getting the voice of the people who live in the community and what they need heard for the very first time.

“The stakeholders include Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, NHS and local organisations working around North Glasgow and we’ve said to these people – look, this is our research, this is what the 200 people in North Glasgow are telling us and what are we going to do about it as a collective?”