Monmouthsire and Brecon Canal - Llanfoist - Bridges 93 to 97

We are pleased to send you the latest update on the stoppage works at Llanfoist.

The completion date still stands as advertised on Friday 25th April 2014 and for your information, here is the progress to date, together with what’s planned over coming weeks.

Progress on site

• * Approximately 298 nails have been installed.  Nails are up to 15m long.
• * 95% of the works are complete at Slip 2

What’s coming up over the next week

• * Nailing to continue using long-reach excavator
• * Continue drilling with the small rig complete the towpath works
• * Complete the second slip site
• * Be at least 75% complete on the towpath

Please be advised that the section in water below Bridge 47 is not the responsibility of the Canal & River Trust so should you encounter difficulties below Bridge 47 please contact Torfaen County Borugh Council on 01495 762 200 during normal working hours.

Please find below our updated information regarding the Llanfoist stoppage.

 Progress on site

• ·         Approximately 190 nails have been installed. Nails are up to 15m long.
• ·         Long reach excavator now in use to install soil nails further up the slope.
• ·         Second drilling rig now on site and temporary anchorages being installed
• ·         Temporary access steps from compound to slope nearing completion
• ·         Preparations for towpath repair works undertaken

What’s coming up over the next week

• ·         Nailing to continue using long-reach excavator
• ·         Second drilling rig to start installing soil nails
• ·         Slip 2 works to commence.
• ·         Towpath repair works to start, bringing material from Slip 2 to build up settled path

There has been some additional work caused by the longer nails being installed and also the site area was extended to include the additional crack which formed, meaning more mobilisation and tree clearance was required in the first phase of the programme.

Please be advised that the section in water below Bridge 47 is not the responsibility of the Canal & River Trust so should you encounter difficulties below Bridge 47 please contact Torfaen County Borugh Council on 01495 762 200 during normal working hours.

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Repair of the embankment has commenced in earnest this week with the installation of the first 50 soil nails.  With over 500 soil nails to install this will be the focus of work over the next few weeks.  

For the latest update direct from site with more information about the damage, the repairs and what it might mean for you please see the video at

http://support.canalrivertrust.org.uk/get-involved/appeal/national-canal-flood-appeal/home/updates/an-update-on-the-mon-and-brec-repairs-10-march/

If you require further information please email [email protected]

Llanfoist Embankment started settling in early January 2014. It has settled over 600mm in places and in two distinct areas. We believe the cause of this is heavily saturated ground and ground water following the intense period of wet weather. To stabilise the embankment we are intending to install over 500 soil nails through the slipped embankment soil into the bed rock below before repairing the towpath and reinstating the embankment slope.

Whats coming up over the next week

• Ground investigation
• Test nails to be installed
• Nailing to begin
• Completion of access and welfare arrangements
• Review of the remaining embankment sections
• Trees to be taken down on second slipped area

If you would like more information about the damage, the repairs and what it might mean for you, please email [email protected]

Updated 24th February 2014

The torrential rain that has deluged us in recent weeks has saturated a 125-metre section of the canal’s embankment, close to Tod’s Bridge, causing it to ‘slip’ down the side of the hill.

We have been working to stabilise the embankment and secure the canal for the past fortnight. Our initial estimate is that the full repair will take nine weeks, with this section closed until the end of April.  We will have more certainty in early March after the initial work phase has begun, and will provide an update then.

During this time a 2km section of the canal will be closed, as well as the towpath through the affected area, which will have a short diversionary route enabling walkers and cyclists to continue their journey.

The popular stretches of the canal north of Govilon and south of Llanfoist will remain open whilst the canal is repaired.

The repairs being undertaken effectively require ‘nailing’ the embankment to the bedrock using around 500 massive pins, each ten metres long. We’ve already removed a considerable number of trees from the side of the embankment to prepare for the works, with the engineering work proper starting today (Monday 24 February).

If you would like more information about the damage, the repairs and what it might mean for you, please email [email protected]

Updated 13th February 2014

Please find below the latest information regarding the works at Llanfoist. The Trust apologise for the incorrect date in yesterday’s update.

Please be advised that during the engineering works the Canal and Towpath will be closed until 17th March 2014 from Tod’s Bridge – to Bridge 96.

The works are continuing to stabilise the canal channel and additional work including tree clearance and engineering investigations are commencing as of today.

We understand that this closure may disrupt your schedule but we are taking every step to fix this problem as soon as possible and we will keep you updated of our progress.

Updated 12th February 2014

Please be advised that during the engineering works the Canal and Towpath will be closed until 17th April 2014 from Tod’s Bridge – to Bridge 96

The works are to stabilise the canal embankment while the canal is dewatered.

We understand that this closure may disrupt your schedule but we are taking every step to fix this problem as soon as possible and we will keep you updated of our progress.

Updated 30th January 2014

Please be advised that during the engineering works the Towpath will be also closed from 30th January 2014 until 15th February 2014 from Tod’s Bridge – MB-021-003 to Bridge 96 – MB-023-002

The works  are to stabilise the canal embankment while  the canal is dewatered.

The canal will remain closed until repair works have been undertaken.  Work is due to commence on Monday 27th January 2014 with a planned completion date of 10th March 2014. 

We are continuing to monitor the canal at this location and will provide further updates as repair works progress.

The Trust Apologise for any inconvenience this may cause

Updated 30th January 2014

Please be advised that during the ebgineering works the towpath will be also closed from:

Tod’s Bridge – MB-021-003 to

Bridge 96 – MB-023-002

From 30th January 2014 until 15th February 2014 the towpath will be closed

The works  are to stabilise the canal embankment while  the canal is dewatered.

The Trust Apologise for any inconvenience this may cause

Please be advised that investigations have confirmed that it will be necessary for the canal to remain closed until repair works have been undertaken.  Work is due to commence on Monday 27th January 2014 with a planned completion date of 10 March 2014.  We are continuing to monitor the canal at this location and will provide further updates as repair works progress.

The Trust Apologise for any inconvenience this may cause

Following the recent exceptional rainfall on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal there has been movement of the embankment at Llanfoist. The Trust have taken precautionary measures to close the canal between bridges 93 and 97.  The canal will remain closed in this area whilst further engineering investigations take place.

The Trust Apologise for any inconvenience this may cause

For up to date information please contact 0303 040 4040