£250,000 investment improves wildlife habitat and navigation
A MAJOR programme of maintenance work has been completed on a stretch of the Montgomery Canal near Welshpool, delivering benefits for both wildlife and waterway users.
The project, led by Glandŵr Cymru, has been made possible thanks to a £250,000 grant from the Nature Networks Fund.
The work involved dredging around one-and-a-half miles of canal, removing approximately 840 tonnes of silt along with overgrown and invasive vegetation. The improvements are expected to enhance water quality, increase depth and support better navigation along the canal.
The upgrades will also benefit The Heulwen Trust, which provides free boat trips for people with disabilities on its adapted vessel.
The canal is recognised for its rare aquatic plant life, including species such as floating water plantain and grass-wrack pondweed. By clearing invasive species and improving conditions, the project will help protect and encourage these important habitats. Further work is planned to prune overhanging trees to increase light levels and boost biodiversity.
Funding for the scheme was delivered through the Nature Networks Programme by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Mark Weatherall, senior project manager at Glandŵr Cymru, said the work would have lasting benefits.
He said: “We are delighted that the work has improved navigation and provided a boost to ecologically important species. The canal continues to bring benefits for local people and biodiversity.
“The dredging team has removed approximately 840 tonnes of silt to improve the canal between Abbey Winding Hole and Welshpool Marina. We have also been collecting samples of the rare canal flora, which can now be propagated and reintroduced to provide a further boost to the canal corridor.”
As part of the wider project, natural flood management measures such as “leaky dams” have been installed to reduce the amount of silt entering the canal from nearby streams.
Access to nature has also been improved at sites in Newtown and Wern Claypits Nature Reserve, including repairs to boardwalks and the installation of new interpretation boards.
Gareth Thomas, of The Heulwen Trust, welcomed the investment.
He said: “We warmly welcome the completion of these vital works on the Montgomery Canal. This investment protects the future of our trips and the people who rely on them.
“By improving water quality and keeping the channel clear, the project ensures our adapted boat can continue to travel safely and smoothly along this beautiful stretch of canal.
“These enhancements will help us continue opening up the canal to those who need it most.”
For more information about the work of Glandŵr Cymru, including opportunities to volunteer or donate, visit the Canal & River Trust website.
