Canal investment continues in north Powys

The Montgomery Canal, which reaches the outskirts of Newtown at Dolfor and stretches north through Powys into Shropshire, continues to see restoration work and investment, with new projects and funding plans discussed at a recent canal forum.

The latest updates were shared at the Montgomery Canal Forum in Oswestry, organised by the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust and attended by council representatives, canal supporters and members of the public.

Speakers outlined a mix of volunteer projects, conservation work and major infrastructure plans aimed at restoring more sections of the historic canal route.

Michael Limbrey of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust described the canal as a resource with a wide role beyond boating.

He said the Montgomery Canal was “a Canal for All”, offering “recreation, tourism, boating, nature conservation, heritage and volunteering”.

He highlighted work by volunteers from the Shropshire Union Canal Society, who have been restoring stretches of canal channel after years of dereliction. Historic structures have also seen repair work at Dolfor Lock, near Newtown, and Aston Locks near Oswestry.

Volunteers from the Canal & River Trust Welshpool work party, TRAMPS, have also carried out renovation work at Garthmyl and Brynderwen.

The forum also heard that boat trips run by the Heulwen Trust at Welshpool continue, although trips at Llanymynech have been suspended this year because of low water levels.

The main presentation came from Jason Leach, Head of Externally Funded Operations for the Canal & River Trust, who outlined progress linked to a £15.4 million UK Government grant awarded five years ago.

He said the funding supported work on two bridges, two canalside nature reserves and a dredging programme designed to restore habitats for legally protected species while reopening sections of the canal.

One nature reserve has already been completed and work on the second is expected to begin soon.

The Canal & River Trust is also preparing a funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for restoration work on the historic aqueduct over the River Vyrnwy. If successful, repairs could begin next spring and take around two years.

Jason said the canal had also benefited from biodiversity funding totalling £1.168 million since 2000, including money to tackle invasive weeds this summer.

He outlined wider ambitions to remove remaining trunk road barriers at Maerdy and Arddleen on the route towards Welshpool.

Speaking about the longer term impact of restoration, he said: “The benefits of a fully restored and accessible canal will need a mix of water (powered and unpowered) and towpath uses to ensure the long term future economic and environmental viability of the canal.”

He said wider benefits included job creation, visitor spending, environmental improvements, volunteer opportunities and better health and wellbeing.

After the event, Michael said: “We were pleased to see so many council representatives, canal supporters and members of the public at the Montgomery Canal Forum.”

He added: “The Montgomery Canal restoration is one of the country’s leading canal projects and with a substantial investment of grants, private donations and volunteer time over the years is creating opportunities for tourism, local communities and businesses. It will be very exciting to see the next stages of the restoration come to completion.”

Two of the forum presentations can be viewed via the Montgomery Canal website.