Montgomery Canal Restoration

The Montgomery Canal runs from near Ellesmere, Shropshire in the north to Newtown in Powys in the south.  It has been the subject of ongoing restoration since 1969, when plans to build a road on the canal route led to a local outcry, and “The Big Dig” led by IWA and the Shropshire Union Canal Society.  

The canal is important in many ways, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for much of its length, and is particularly important for its range of rare aquatic plants.  Restoration plans have to safeguard these interests, and a new framework is being developed through the preparation of a Conservation Management Strategy. This framework has been developed by the Montgomery Canal Partnership, a mix of local authorities, navigation groups, and conservation organisations.  Click here for a full list of Partners and links to their web-sites.

The Conservation Management Strategy covers many interests, including wildlife, archaeology, built heritage, and recreation.  It has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Objective 2 and local Partners.  Click here to view the Strategy and associated surveys.

The next major phase of restoration seeks to secure funding to connect eleven miles of canal currently restored around Welshpool, back to the national network.  The estimated cost of the work is £41 million, including a series of new nature reserves, re-constructing several blocked road crossings, and re-watering a three mile dry section in England.  Possible restoration further south towards the historic terminus at Newtown will follow as a later phase.