Furnace Lade Habitat Enhancement

The Carron Lade was constructed in 1760 to provide water for the Carron Ironworks. In 1975 the Furnace Lade was sealed off and since then it has developed into a habitat for wildlife and an important pedestrian and cycle link between Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Carron. Parts of the Lade have been used for fly-tipping and is heavily littered, however, and the proposed project aims to clear rubbish from in and around the Lade stretching from Stirling Road (A9) to behind Carrongrange Gardens. No vegetation or soil will be removed from the Lade to avoid damaging its clay-lining. The Lade used to feed the reservoirs at Carron Dams. Since the closure of the Carron Ironworks in the 1970s, however, the reservoirs have been partially drained and are now an important wetland nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This clear up will remove rubbish from the southern end of the SSSI as well as enhancing the area adjacent to the SSSI.