More funding for Montgomery Canal
THE next phase of restoration of the Montgomery Canal has been secured with more than £250,000 in funding.
A grant of £177,625 has been received by the Canal & River Trust through Shropshire Council from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This has been boosted by an additional £76,250 from the Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal.
Montgomery Canal Partnership chairman John Dodwell said: “This new grant will help to close the ‘Shropshire Gap’ – the two miles of dried-out canal between Crickheath and the Welsh Border at Llanymynech.
“It complements restoration work being undertaken in Powys under the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. It is very pleasing that the match funding is coming from the voluntary societies in addition to their members being volunteers on the actual work. I urge the public to keep donating so the volunteers can continue. This is a good example of working together with the Canal & River Trust.”
SUCS chairman David Carter said: “The next section is a technically challenging length of channel, being historically leaky. Additionally, it will be rebuilt incorporating water volefriendly ‘soft banks’.
“Our enthusiastic and experienced volunteers are greatly looking forward to the challenge.”
CRT spokesperson Nicola Lewis-Smith added: “Hundreds of volunteers, with support from the Canal & River Trust, have campaigned and worked tirelessly over many years to make this dream a reality and we’re getting nearer to our goal of having the canal back open.”
Next section
The funding will enable restoration of a further 360m section of the canal from Crickheath towards Schoolhouse Bridge, which was levelled nearly 60 years ago.
This bridge has just been rebuilt with money raised through the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal, removing the final public highway block and unlocking the potential for full navigation of the canal.
Work to date has ensured that all 35 miles of towpath are accessible, with eight miles of canal in Shropshire made suitable for boating between Crickheath Basin and Frankton Junction where the canal joins the Llangollen Canal.
New raffle
A ‘grand draw’ with cash prizes to support the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Appeal was launched by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal at their recent AGM. Profits will pay for materials and equipment needed by the volunteers who are continuing the restoration.
Chairman Christine Palin told the meeting that it had been a momentous year for the Montgomery Canal and paid tribute to the work of the various groups which contribute both to the restoration and to the upkeep of the canal.
These include the Shropshire Union Canal Society, TRAMPS (the Canal & River Trust maintenance group based in Welshpool), the Wern Nature Reserve Task Force, the Friday Group, Welshpool Canoe Club and Waterway Recovery Group.
Entries are now being taken for the Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday, May 18 showcasing sections of the canal which have been reopened and lengths which still have to be restored. Almost 200 people took part last year.
Other regular activities include guided walks along and around the canal, social meetings and a popular coracle event in Welshpool, all of which are well supported. Friends’ canoes can also be hired from Canal Central, the Maesbury tearoom, for a trip on the canal.
Tickets for the draw can be bought online at https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/donate/raffle-2024/