Trust welcomes start of work on Montgomery Canal, Powys

The Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust has welcomed the upcoming works which will see the waterway being dredged south of Llanymynech – which was funded by last year’s £14 million Levelling up money awarded by the Government.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, said, “It is very exciting to see work start on the first major restoration of the canal in Wales for some years. The funding from the UK Government’s Levelling-Up Fund follows visits by Ministers invited to the canal by Craig Williams MP and Russell George MS.”

The work has raised concerns by local naturalists, most notably Iolo Williams, who have voiced their concerns about the impact it could have to local wildlife.

However, the trust insist there will be a “carefully tailored dredging programme” over the next two years to reduce invasive species which have reduced biodiversity and impacted some of the canal’s rare plants.

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After this, there will be new bridges built to remove two obstructions to the canal and the building of three substantial off-line nature reserves – which will protect the canal's natural heritage as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation.

“The Strategy integrates nature conservation at the heart of the restoration which is designed to bring environmental, social and economic value of the restoration,” said Mr Limbrey.

“The new expert-designed Welsh nature reserves will benefit from the experience of earlier reserves with a flow of water from canal and extensive open waterspace. They will match the canalside reserves in Shropshire where special canal species are conserved with help from Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

“Anyone visiting the canal will be able to visit its nature reserves – the new ones and those that are flourishing now – and interpretation and viewing facilities like those in Shropshire will ensure they get the most benefit from their visit.

“The great thing about boating visitors is that they cannot just drive off to other attractions but spend their time along the canal to the advantage of local shops, pubs and other businesses.

“The Montgomery Canal in Shropshire already welcomes boating visitors from Britain and from countries round the world, and we know more want to come.”