Two groups working to reopen the Montgomery Canal have recently been engaging with local people to explain what they are currently doing and their plans for the future of the canal.
The Friends of the Montgomery Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) have both distributed different leaflets to let people in Pant and Crickheath know of their activities.
The Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) is currently undertaking the canal restoration between Lloyds Animal Feeds and Crickheath. All being well the Monty will be navigable as far as Crickheath Basin in 2023. SUCS’ current involvement is as an experienced contractor to Canal & River Trust (CRT) and its workforce is made up entirely of volunteers.
As many will know, Schoolhouse Bridge is also scheduled to be rebuilt, after significant fundraising by the Restore the Montgomery Canal group. This bridge was demolished in the 1950s or 60s and in its current state would stop boats getting further down the canal towards Pant. Almost all of the necessary permissions and legal processes have now been completed to allow for the bridge to be rebuilt during 2022. Although this won’t mean that boats can get this far in the short term, it will have removed the last impediment to progress towards linking the northern section of the canal to the south section from Llanymynech which already is in water.
The Friends of the Montgomery Canal, which is a group of people interested in the heritage and wildlife of the canal has been fully supporting the rebuilding and has been encouraging local people to join them to give the canal a voice and to push for further restoration.
SUCS and the Friends are just two of many parties involved with the Montgomery Canal.
The Monty itself is owned by the Canal & River Trust and there is a large umbrella grouping – the Montgomery Canal Partnership – which has representatives covering the full range of interests, including local authorities, conservation & environmental organisations and waterway groups.
Useful links
SUCS publishes regular restoration updates – www.shropshireunion.org.uk/montgomery-canal-restoration
The Friends website is a great source of more general information and news and can be found at: https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk
Both organisations are very keen for local people to get involved so why not visit their websites to find out more?