Opening canal section 'would have untold benefits'

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George is one of a number of people working on opening the Montgomery Canal between Welshpool and Arddleen.

Mr George said the Canal and River Trust will now put together an action plan to show what benefits could come from it, while he will raise the subject in the Welsh Assembly.

Mr George said: "I was delighted to recently bring together interested parties which were unanimous in their vision for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.

"Over many years, a huge amount of work and fundraising has taken place by organisations such as the Heulwen Trust, Friends of Montgomery Canal, Montgomery Canal Partnership and the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust which should be commended.

"While financial obstacles exist, I am keen to play my part to ensure that these barriers are removed so that the development of the canal can proceed unhindered.

"The restoration of the canal and the ambition to link it with the Shropshire Union Canal will have untold benefits for tourism and the local economy, not to mention the considerable benefits for tourism and the local economy, not to mention the considerable benefits for the health and wellbeing for local people.

"I'm pleased that the Canal & River Trust have agreed to put together an action plan and I have committed to raising the issue with the Welsh Government to expedite progress."

Councillor Malcolm Douglass, Welshpool mayor, is also involved in the plans and said the opening of the section of canal would be a huge boost for the area.

He added: "It is clear that the restoration of the Montgomery Canal will bring huge benefits to the people of Welshpool and it's important that we all work together to remove the obstacles to its development.

"I am making it one of my big aims this year to get people together to work on opening the canal up, which I think would in turn bring a huge boost to the local economy here in Welshpool.

"It could be a really good tourist attraction."

The canal is currently the subject of a restoration project.

It runs for 33 miles from the Llangollen Canal at Frankwell Junction to Newtown via Llanymynech and Welshpool.

Currently, only seven miles from Frankton Junction to Gronwyn Wharf, near Oswestry, is navigable and connected to the rest of the national Canal and River Trust Network. Separately a short stretch at Llanymynech and a central section of the canal around Welshpool area also navigable, though isolated from the national network.