Restoring the Capelrig/Auldhouse Burn

Published: 28 April 2023

East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), with the help of AECOM, is committed to restoring and revitalising the Capelrig/Auldhouse Burn, and its surrounding greenspaces.

The project has identified five specific areas, including the East Renfrewshire Golf Course, Crookfur, King George V Park, Old Bleachworks, and Auldhouse Park, where restoration improvements could be implemented.

These improvements will not only enhance the natural beauty of the region but also provide numerous benefits to the local communities.

Local Benefits

The project's efforts to improve the river and surrounding areas will have numerous benefits for the local communities. Better water quality will provide a healthier environment for aquatic life and improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the region.

The increased biodiversity resulting from the project could lead to more animals, birds, and plants in the area, creating a thriving ecosystem. Additionally, the project will improve access to the river, providing better cycling, walking, and wheeling routes, and creating safe, peaceful, and natural areas where people can stop and spend time.

How can I influence the project?

We are seeking input from residents and users of each identified area on how their local river and surrounding greenspace can be improved.

We are also keen to understand any concerns or issues with each river and surrounding greenspace, identifying solutions to address these concerns.

How can I provide feedback?

We welcome your feedback through our Online Feedback Form (hyperlink to feedback form) which will be available to complete until 16 May 2023.

Alternatively, on Tuesday, 2 May 2023, representatives from East Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow city Council, SEPA and AECOM will be available at King George V Park and Auldhouse Park to have conversations with interested individuals and answer any questions they may have. This is an excellent opportunity to have your say and contribute to the improvement of your local environment. We hope to see you there!

Have your Say

Have your say though our Online Feedback Form .  

This engagement period will end on Tuesday 16^th May 2023.

What happens to my Feedback?

The feedback we receive throughout the engagement period, will be used to help create a vision of how each area could be transformed.

We are currently in stage one of the project, where we are identifying opportunities as well as any key obstacles/issues. The next stage of the project takes your ideas and your feedback to the next level, progressing the options to a concept design stage, where we will return for a second round of engagement.

Delivery for this project is anticipated to commence in 2025-2026.

Previous Project Case Studies

Garrell Brun, Kilsyth

The Dumbreck Marsh & Garrell Burn Restoration Project was once heavily used for colliery activities and mineral railways. After the decline of the colliery industries the land was left fallow and gradually accommodated wetland habitats and associated species - including the endangered lapwing.

Recently the marsh has suffered drying out and loss of wildlife, with limited public access. North Lanarkshire Council, SEPA, Scottish Government and the Clyde River Foundation joined forces to restore the  degraded river, enhance the wetland habitat, improve public access and safeguard valuable biodiversity. By restoring around 600m of the burn it can now accommodate a greater variety of wildlife and provide more attractive fish habitat.

The channel also now allows the Garrell Burn to flood into the wetland zone to help recharge the marsh with water. Fish ladders were constructed to allow migrating fish (salmon, trout, eel and lamprey) to, once again, reach the upstream habitat available to them in Kilsyth. Public access has been substantially improved with new pathways and resurfacing of existing popular routes.

Three new attractive footbridges also enhance the experience of the riverside for the public.

The Levern Water in Barrhead flows through council-owned land, including an old industrial site and a public park. However, the river's modification by past industrial activity had made it straight and unhealthy and fish couldn't access it properly.

Local people felt unsafe walking through the area as the vacant site was used for antisocial behaviour and dumping of rubbish. In 2022, work began on transforming this area by realigning the river to make it less straight, and creating a new public greenspace with footpaths, benches and community growing space.

The site now has open views and the river can be properly seen and enjoyed for the first time. The Kirkton Burn which comes through a pipe under the town can now been seen flowing into the Levern Water. A weir which was part of the industrial heritage was preventing fish from getting upstream and has now been removed.

Tollcross Burn, Glasgow

The Tollcross Burn was historically hidden in a pipe through Sandyhills Park to make space for housing which is no longer there. The project involved creating a new river channel along its historic route, together with wider improvements of the park. 

The work benefits the local community by providing access to the burn in an enhanced park environment as well as setting the foundation for additional improvements in the future.

The new channel included pools, wetlands and shallower areas and landscaping work included tree removal and enhancement planting, stepping-stones, a new footbridge, path network improvements, wildflower planting and an outdoor learning area.