Volunteers on the Montgomery Canal welcomed Campbell Robb, the new chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, to see for himself the remarkable restoration progress from Crickheath to Waen Wen wharf.
MR Robb was impressed by what he saw during the visit. “The restoration seems to be progressing in leaps and bounds,” he said, “and I feel this a flagship project that many on the canal system can learn from.
“I’m impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of all involved. To have built Schoolhouse bridge with public donations is remarkable, and judging by the speed of restoration, I’m sure it will be in water very soon”.
The visit began at Maesbury, just south of Oswestry, Shropshire, where Mr Robb was collected by the steamboat Ictus, which took him down the recently restored section of canal to Crickheath Basin. There, he saw an impressive number of volunteers in action, lining and blocking the canal, as well as replanting daffodil bulbs disturbed by the work.
Michael Limbrey, of the Montgomery Waterways Restoration Trust, said: “We then set off for Llanymynech with a brief visit to Bridge 88 to look at the Pant sewer – a major challenge in the restoration of the Shropshire Gap. We were introduced to the team at Llanymynech Wharf, saw the display, and looked on the tour boat, the George Watson Buck.”
It was then onto the new Carregofa bridge, which is nearing completion, and Williams Bridge, the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, and a proposed new nature reserve. From there, the party travelled to Welshpool, briefly looking at where the canal crosses the A483 twice – at the same level as the water. Heulwen, a Heulwen Trust charity boat, then took the party into the centre of Welshpool through Gallowstree Bridge.
Michael continued: “There were many opportunities to discuss what’s been done and what must be done in the future, and we had the impression that Campbell left with a very positive view of the Montgomery Canal.”
