Work Starts On The Monmouthshire And Brecon Canal

Work has begun on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to re-line and repair a section that forms the head of the canal and is adjacent to the entrance of Cwmcarn Forest Drive. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sympathetic restoration to this an area of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is well underway, in order to restore the structural integrity to this section of canal, as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing area for members of the public both living in and visiting the area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The works involve re-lining a section of the canal with reinforced concrete cantilever walls and a section of reinforced concrete U-channel and synthetic liner. These works will ensure that the structure remains water tight and allows the continued supply of water to the remainder of the canal which is fed from this location thus preserving aquatic life encouraging bio-diversity. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Restoration of the grade II listed Abercarn Aqueduct will also be completed, which involved the repair and re-pointing of the existing brickwork and masonry structure and replacement of fencing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Tom Williams, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Engineering said: “I am delighted that works to improve a section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal are now under way. The scheme required full planning approval and as part of this process considerable effort has been made in liaising with both in house and external bodies to ensure a sympathetic approach is adopted when carrying out the works”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​