The community activities are part of ambitious plans to restore the 200 year old Montgomery Canal, which have been boosted by a £160,200 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This will help us progress plans to apply for a full grant for the project at a later date.
We will work with the 14 partner organisations, which make up the Montgomery Canal Partnership. The Partnership aims to fully restore the canal as a haven for people and nature and bring canal boats back for the first time in 80 years.
The funding includes the opportunity to stage community activities and we are now seeking the views of local people and other interested parties to see what type of activities they might like to take part in.
The community activities should be:
- Related to the canal heritage, its future or its wildlife
- Of a recreational nature or to develop skills
- Delivered through taster sessions, community events or family-fun days
The consultation meetings are to be held in the Corn Exchange, Welshpool Town Hall between 11.00and and 3.00pm on Friday 21 November and between 5.00pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 November.
Montgomery Canal Community Development Officer, Sylvia Edwards said: “Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund support and National Lottery players, the Canal & River Trust now has an exciting opportunity to put together a package of community activities focused on the Montgomery Canal. Now we want your views to help us put together an exciting programme for everyone.
“To realise the full heritage and recreational potential of this restoration project, the Trust wants to involve as many people as possible within the canal corridor through a wide range of community activities.”
Proposed improvements
Also on show at the consultation meetings will be a large scale map showing the proposed improvements to the Montgomery Canal.
The improvements include the reopening of 2km of canal, reinstatement of a winding hole (turning point) at Crickheath and towpath improvements between Welshpool and Llanymynech.
The project also aims to complete the enlargement of Aston Locks nature reserve, extending the conservation of important aquatic plants, restoring historic bridges and carrying out further studies to secure the full funding needed for the project.
The current HLF funding is another step towards the canal's full restoration and will allow us to complete our application to the HLF for a grant towards the £6 million project.
