Groups who have spent years trying to reopen the Montgomery Canal have spoken of their delight after £15.4 million was allocated to the plans in yesterday's Budget.

The funding, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, will bring the restoration of the canal to the national network another step closer.

The money will be invested in restoring navigation to most of a 4.4-mile section of the canal from the English border at Llanymynech to Arddleen, near Welshpool.

The successful bid for Levelling Up funding was made by Powys County Council, supported by the Canal & River Trust.

Montgomery Canal Partnership’s chair John Dodwell and Michael Limbrey, Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chairman, were both delighted with the news and thanked Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams for his support, along with that of council leader Rosemarie Harris and Montgomeryshire MS Russell George.

“This is extremely good news, “said Mr Dodwell.

“The canal’s restoration will be of enormous benefit to the community and so it’s appropriate that we have had support from Welshpool Town Council and other councils.

“As there will no doubt be terms and conditions attached to the £15.4m grant, the detailed hard work starts now.”

Mr Limbrey added: “It’s absolutely brilliant news. We are really delighted with the work and support of Craig Williams and the teams at Powys County Council and the Canal & River Trust.

“Having been working to revive the canal into Mid Wales for so many years, this is a great step forward to restoring it to the national network.”

Mr Williams described the Budget announcement as “a milestone day for Montgomeryshire” after decades of local campaigning by “fantastic volunteers” at the Montgomery Canal Partnership and Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust.

Cllr Graham Breeze, a Powys County Councillor for Welshpool Llanerchydol Ward, added: “It’s impossible to calculate the value of this development to Welshpool and the surrounding area.

“Reopening the canal puts Welshpool firmly back on the UK canal network map and will bring tourists flooding into the area with huge economic benefits.

"Powys County Council Cabinet is to be commended for pressing for the levelling-up funding and recognising the importance of opening this stretch of canal.

“But this is just the latest step. Now we have to hope that vital funding from the Mid Wales Growth deal follows to ensure the completion of the project."