Montgomery Canal restoration could benefit from Growing Mid Wales bid

THE Restore the Montgomery Canal! group – which brings together volunteer charities which have worked for years for the revival of the Montgomery Canal – has welcomed the announcement that the canal is one of the projects the Growing Mid Wales Board is submitting to the UK and Welsh Governments.

This is the response to the Government’s offer of £110 million for developments across the counties of Powys and Ceredigion; projects that are approved will then be worked up in detail for delivery.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! group, said: “Our volunteers have been working for many years to bring the Montgomery Canal back to life. Today over half the canal is open for boating and there are extensive protected areas for the conservation of the canal’s flora and fauna.

“Only a few weeks ago more than 200 people were involved in the annual fundraising marathon – there were nearly as many helping as marshals as actually took part – illustrating the canal’s value for residents and visitors alongside its special built and natural heritage.”

He referred to the ‘pressing need’ to connect the isolated 12-mile section through Welshpool with the restored canal in Shropshire which links to the extensive network of canals across England and Wales.

Volunteers from Restore the Montgomery

Canal! member Shropshire Union Canal Society, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, have been working to extend the Shropshire section and, after years of volunteer preparation and fundraising, next year should see the removal of the last highway blockage in Shropshire.

Michael continued: “The next stages will involve the final two miles of dry canal in Shropshire and the obstructions in Powys, mainly more blocked bridges. We are delighted that councils on both sides of the border are taking a keen interest in restoring the link into mid-Wales, which would mean that 27 of the 35 miles of the canal would be open once more.”

In an effort to keep costs down the Schoolhouse Bridge project will be using volunteers as much as possible. There are other opportunities too, to keep the funds flowing for future works or to help with promotion of the canal.

He concluded: “The Growing Mid Wales proposals can benefit up to 17 miles of canal in Powys, from the border right through to Berriew. With the momentum for restoration in Shropshire we could see boats from across the whole canal network travelling to Welshpool in just a few years; it will be very exciting to have been part of that success story.”

To join the revival email: contact@montgomerywrtrust.uk