The project has seen 470 metres of the canal relined above the village of Llangattock at a cost of £1.2m. This is in addition to the 180 metres of relining, which was completed in 2008 above the village of Dardy. This equates to 6600m2 in total or to put it into context, two thirds the area of the Millennium Stadium pitch. The area impounds 5000m3 of water, the equivalent of 51 double decker buses, or two Olympic-sized swimming pools!
Unique construction skills
The deputy minister for skills and technology, Jeff Cuthbert, visited the work to look in greater detail at the environmental and heritage skills required during the maintenance work. The deputy minister commented: “The varied work being carried out on one of Wales' most iconic working heritage assets is providing unique construction skills to local workers.
"The canal network of Wales offers a diverse setting for skills development, and I was pleased to meet Glandŵr Cymru's apprentice Liam Davis on site. Apprenticeships such as these are important for providing the mixed economy Wales needs, and I look forward to working with Glandŵr Cymru in the future.”
Dr Mark Lang, chair of Glandŵr Cymru, says: "The relining of this stretch of the beautiful Mon & Brec canal is part of the essential maintenance needed by the local canal network which is used by boaters, cyclists, anglers and walkers supporting local businesses. It is so exciting to be able to finally have it reopened for everyone to enjoy."