Canal project hailed as tourism boost

The full scale restoration of a canal which straddles the England/Wales border will mean a boost in tourism and jobs for Shropshire, council leaders have claimed.Shropshire County Council will be asked at its next meeting on October 10 to pledge support for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal - and kickstart the scheme with a financial contribution.

The call will come from cabinet member Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, who says he can see significant benefits of restoring the canal.

He has tabled a motion urging the county council “to do all it can to raise and refresh the profile of the Montgomery Canal restoration project” and wants the scheme secured as “a high priority for the Shropshire and Telford Destination Management Partnership”.

He is urging the authority to look within its budget to find £3,000 to match a Powys contribution for a new website to promote the canal as a cross-border tourism amenity.

He would also like to see another £5,000 to match-fund contributions from Powys and Advantage West Midlands to fund a master planning exercise to depict the outcome of regeneration at Llanymynech.

The final request is for “a modest contribution” towards funding the next stage of restoration - from Redwith Bridge to Crickheath Wharf, near Oswestry.

This, Mr Nutting says, is estimated to cost about £1.5 million.

But a small contribution from Shropshire County Council could help secure more significant funding from Advantage West Midlands and major charitable organisations.

Sections of the canal have already been restored and the next stage is expected to be centred on Llanymynech, linking the canal with the local heritage area and a possible mooring basin. This could cost between £10 million and £15 million.

The Waterways Trust has said the cost could be split between Powys County Council, Shropshire Council and Advantage West Midlands.

By Rhea Parsons