Preparations have begun on further major work to restore the Montgomery Canal, a meeting has been told.

The announcement took place at the Montgomery Canal Forum in Newtown where canal supporters, council representatives and others interested in the canal met.

The meeting looked at activity on the canal and the ambitious plans for the project including restoration work on the canal in areas in Shropshire.

According to Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust Chairman Michael Limbrey, the work to extend the canal will begin to take place imminently.

He said: “The coming months will see the start of the long-awaited Schoolhouse Bridge project in Shropshire removing the canal’s last highway blockage in England and the Shropshire Union Canal Society work parties completing their lottery-supported project to reopen the canal to Crickheath Basin, the next point where boats can turn.

"This restoration will be the latest piece of work since restoration of the canal began with volunteers back in 1969."

Delayed by the pandemic, this was the first public forum after the interruption of Covid. The Forum also marked last year’s bicentenary of the final opening of the canal to trade in Newtown.

Mr Limbrey, however, is looking forward to the to the work that is to come, including improvement to green areas along the canal.

“With over half now reopened and the towpath open for all 35 miles, the emphasis is now on reconnecting the isolated section in Welshpool with the national canal network and Jason Leach described the planning under way for projects under recent UK Government funding," he said.

"Those works will include extensive new nature reserves specially constructed for the restoration adding no less than 17 acres of significant new space for wild plants and wildlife.”

Mr Limbrey praised the support that the project had received from the public, adding: “We could not have the achievements so far, nor what will be happening in the near future, without the huge support from the local community and further afield.

“Supporters from the local area and right across the country took part in the Montgomery Canal Triathlon in May, volunteers from far and wide have come to join restoration working parties, and in the same way supporters from Scotland to the South Coast have made donations to the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal. We are grateful to them all.”