Montgomery Canal
Encyclopedia
The Montgomery Canal known colloquially as "The Monty", is a partially restored canal
in Powys
, in eastern Wales
, and in northwest Shropshire
, in western England
. Originally planned to run from Llanymynech
to Newtown via Welshpool
, the canal is today considered to run 33 miles (53 km) from the Llangollen Canal
(at Frankton Junction
) to Newtown.
Originally known as the Montgomeryshire Canal, after the former county of Montgomeryshire
, along with the adjoining Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal
, the canal fell in to disuse following a breach in 1936, and was officially abandoned in 1944. With the revival of canal use in the late 20th century, the canal became known as the Montgomery Canal, which was considered to include the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal.
At present only 7 miles (11 km) of the northern section, from Frankton Junction to Gronwyn Wharf, a short stretch at Llanymynech, and a central section of the canal around Welshpool are navigable, though restoration work
continues to expand this. The canal does not, and never did, go to the town of Montgomery
.
The Montgomeryshire Canal was devised with a different purpose from most other canals of the time. Whereas other canals could generate sufficient revenue from cargo carrying to be financially viable, the Montgomeryshire was planned to serve a more rural area, which would not offer such opportunities. Instead the primary purpose of the canal was to transport lime
for agricultural purposes, which would allow the Upper Severn Valley
to become better agricultural land. As a result, the promoters of the canal included local landowners who hoped to achieve a return on their investment through greater crop yields, rather than relying upon share dividends.
The proposal of a canal from Llanymynech to Welshpool was made in 1792, to extend the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal, which was itself still then only a proposal. By 1793 it had been decided that the canal should continue through to Newtown. The canal was authorised in 1794 by an act of parliament
entitled "An act for making a navigable Canal from or near Porthywain Lime Rocks in the parish of Llanyblodwell, in the county of Salop, to or near Newtown, in the county of Montgomery, and also certain collateral Cuts from the said Canal." The company was authorised to raise £72,000 from shares, and a further £20,000 if required. John Dadford
was appointed Engineer, while his brother Thomas Dadford Junior was appointed his assistant.
By 1797, 16 miles (26 km) had been built from Llanymynech to Garthmyl, stopping 7 miles (11 km) short of Newtown. During construction, both the Vyrnwy Aqueduct and the Berriew
Aqueduct had difficulties. John Dadford had resigned, and William Jessop
was called in to advise. John Dadford was later replaced with Thomas Dadford
senior.
A lack of capital
and income prevented completion of the canal, and it remained with Garthmyl as its terminus for 20 years. With an estimated cost for the canal between Garthmyl and Newtown of £28,268, shareholders feared they might lose their investment if the canal were completed, so a separate company was set up to build the remainder of the canal through to Newtown. In reality, this second company had many shareholders in common with the original company. In order to limit the risk to shareholders' dividends, it was required that the new section of canal be generating profit at least equal to that of the existing section before any merger of the two companies could take place. In 1815 an act of parliament was passed, to authorise the raising £40,000 in new shares to complete the canal. The new section of canal was known as the Western Branch of the Montgomeryshire Canal, the original section being known as the Eastern Branch.
The Western Branch was planned by Josias Jessop
, to include six locks of eight feet each, with the cut being 4 feet 6 inches deep, and 15 feet wide at the bottom. John Williams
was appointed as resident engineer. The Western branch was completed in 1821.
As a result of the Western Branch needing to be profitable in order to allow the branches to merge, a higher tonnage charge was imposed on the Western Branch.
In 1821 a further act of parliament was obtained, in order to alter the line of the Tanat feeder, and to make a navigable cut from the Guildfield Branch. This act also allowed the consolidation of the Eastern and Western branches with the consent of the proprietors of each, and clarified that the commencement of the Eastern branch was to be taken as the distance of thirty five yards from the sill of the upper gate of the higher of the two Carreghofa locks.
This alteration to the line of the Tanat feeder resulted in the feeder now supplying the pound above the Carreghofa locks, whereas it previously fed the canal below the locks.
In 1847 the Eastern Branch was purchased by the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company
, and became part of the Shropshire Union
network. In 1850 the Western Branch was also purchased by the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company. Bridge numbers on the Montgomery sections of the canal continue on from the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal to reflect this. Today, bridge numbers on the Montgomery Canal continue on from Llangollen Canal bridge numbers at Frankton Junction
, with the first bridge on the Montgomery Canal (Lockgate Bridge) being therefore bridge number 71 and not number 1. The Llangollen Canal has, because of this, two separate series of bridge numbering, with one ending and the other beginning at Frankton Junction.
Partly due to the late arrival of railways in the area, traffic gradually increased and the Montgomery Canal became profitable. It remained so until after the First World War
, after which it began making heavy losses. The Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company was bought out by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway
in 1922 and the canal became increasingly run-down.
In 1936 a breach occurred near Frankton Junction, below Lockgate Bridge. Despite a statutory duty to maintain the canal, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway decided to abandon it. In 1944 an Act of Abandonment was passed by parliament, stating that the waterway had not been used for some years.
In 1987 the locks at Frankton Junction were restored and officially reopened.
In 1996 the 4 miles (6 km) section from Frankton Junction to Queen's Head was reopened.
In 2001 work was started on the restoration of Newhouse Lock, with an estimated cost of £104,000. Soon after work started on the lock, it became evident that there were structural problems which had not been apparent when the first engineering inspection had been carried out. The costs were reappraised and a revised estimate of £250,000 was produced. The restoration was completed on schedule in 2006, and the lock was opened officially on 25 June 2006 by Lembit Opik
, M.P., in conjunction with the Annual Montgomery Dinghy Dawdle
. This completed the restoration of all of the locks on the section of the canal owned by British Waterways
, and was the eleventh lock to be restored by Shropshire Union Canal Society
.
In 2003 the 3 miles (5 km) section from Queen's Head to Gronwen Wharf was reopened. In October 2007 the 800 metres (875 yd) section from Gronwen Wharf to Redwith Bridge was filled with water, but is not open to navigation by motorised vessels.
In October 2007 restoration was started on the 400 metres (437 yd) section from Redwith Bridge to Pryce's Bridge.
In 2007 restoration of Crickheath Wharf was started by the Shropshire Union Canal Society
, though in 2008 work was postponed due to land ownership issues.
Restoration is being carried out by a partnership of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust
and British Waterways
.
on the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire were of a different design to those on other canals. Whereas most other canal locks have culverts in the side walls to fill and empty the lock, with paddles opening and closing vertically, the locks on the Montgomeryshire were designed with a culvert in the base of the canal, with the paddle sliding horizontally over the culvert. During operation this can lead to a large whirlpool
being observed. In order to operate the paddle, the winding gear is purely a geared design, rather than rack and pinion. An effect of this is that there is no pawl to be operated, and the paddles cannot be accidentally dropped shut. The paddle gear was designed by George W. Buck
, who was appointed Engineer of the Eastern branch in 1819, and Clerk to the Western branch in 1832.
Many of the lock gates on the Montgomeryshire Canal were replaced with cast iron gates. These gates were curved, with tubular cast iron balance beams. The last surviving pair were removed from Welshpool and taken to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
in the early 1970s.
.
In order to preserve the wildlife, nature reserves have been created at points along the canal. These include Rednal Basin, most of the Weston Branch and a specially constructed reserve alongside the Aston Locks. Some winding hole
s have been given over to nature, with the one adjacent to Crofts Mill Lift Bridge having had boat barriers installed, and the one adjacent to Park Mill Bridge allowed to be partially overgrown. There is a maximum of 1250 boats per year allowed passage on the navigable section in England (ie that part connected to the Llangollen Canal). In addition there are stricter speed restrictions than normally found on British canals, with speed limits of 2 and 3 mph for example on the navigable and connected part.
. Shorter sections south of Llanymynech and Pool Quay are followed by the Offa's Dyke Path
.
, but is today considered the first section of the Montgomery Canal. The section of the canal from Frankton Junction to Gronwen Wharf (just north of Bridge 82) is navigable by narrowboat
.
A lockkeeper looks after Frankton Locks, as the canal pound
between the locks is small, and water levels vary greatly as the locks are worked. Alongside the locks are several canal buildings, including a boatbuilder's
house. The last boatbuilder to live here was a relative of the late L.T.C. Rolt.
The now-infilled Weston Branch, which terminated at Weston Lullingfields
, branches off between Frankton Locks and Lockgate Bridge. Only a short section remains, used for mooring, with a British Waterways
amenity block alongside.
The canal passes through a peat bog, which has been drained since the construction of the canal. This lowering of the water level has meant that during restoration the canal had to be lined to prevent leakage, and a new lock was required to lower the water level. This lock was named Graham Palmer
Lock, after the founder of the Waterway Recovery Group
.
The Perry Aqueduct crosses the River Perry
, and was replaced during restoration. The old aqueduct was a three-arch aqueduct, but due to the lowered water level the new aqueduct was built as a single span to avoid impeding the river's flow.
Rednal Basin was originally used for transshipment
between the canal and the Great Western Railway
. Although the link to the basin still exists, the basin itself is unnavigable. At Queen's Head the canal passes under both the old and the new A5 road. There are mooring spaces and some British Waterways buildings at Queen's Head. Following on from Queen's Head are the three Aston Locks. The top lock has a nature reserve
alongside, built during restoration.
The canal passes through Maesbury Marsh, a village built largely alongside the canal. An environmentally friendly building, incorporating a Post Office
, shop, tearoom and accommodation was built alongside the canal near the village (just to the west of Spiggots Bridge) in 2006. Mooring is available along sections of the canal at Maesbury Marsh. Bridge 81 is a lift bridge, which requires a windlass to operate, and immediately to its west the Mill Arm (or Peate's Branch) has been restored for much of its length, giving access to a boatyard and private moorings.
The section of the canal from Gronwen Wharf to Redwith Bridge (No. 83) was re-opened in October 2007, though is not navigable by powered craft as Gronwen Wharf is the final winding hole
on this navigable section of the canal. The newly-planted vegetation along this stretch also needs establishing. Therefore Gronwen Wharf remains as the general limit of navigation. Redwith Bridge had been lowered since the canal's closure, but has recently been rebuilt and is now capable of taking narrowboats underneath once again.
The section of the canal from Redwith Bridge to Llanymynech is dry and partially infilled. Restoration is gradually taking place from Redwith Bridge to Crickheath Wharf (located just north of Bridge 85), which will be the next winding hole to be available when this section of canal is restored. Through Pant
the canal ran alongside the Oswestry and Newtown Railway, which later became part of the Cambrian Railways
network. The Cambrian Railways Trust
has restored a short section of the line between Llynclys
and Pant, and has plans to open a halt at Penygarreg Lane
adjacent to the canal.
The section of the canal from Llanymynech to Carreghofa is in water, though Carreghofa Lane now crosses the canal just to the north of Walls Bridge (No. 93) and this new crossing (built after the canal's closure) obstructs the canal. Since 2006, the short section between the new winding hole (located between Llanymynech and Pant) through Llanymynech is navigable and the wharf at Llanymynech has been restored. A second winding hole to the east of Llanymynech Bridge (No. 92) allows for boats to traverse this section of the canal and turn-around at either end. As the canal passes underneath Llanymynech Bridge it passes from Shropshire, England into Powys, Wales. Canal trips are provided on this Llanymynech stretch by the narrowboat George Watson Buck.
Wern Aqueduct was built after the canal was originally opened, to allow a newly-constructed branch of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway to pass below. A temporary diversion of the canal was put in place to allow construction of the aqueduct, and the entrances to the diversion remain visible.
A feeder from the River Tanat, enters the canal above Carreghofa Locks. Built in 1822 by the Montgomeryshire Canal Company, it originally fed water between the locks, so that none could enter the Ellesmere Canal. When the canals were united the feeder was diverted to enter the canal above the locks, so that the lowest pound of the former Ellesmere Canal also gained from the feeder.
The end of the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal joins end-on to the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire Canal at Carreghofa Locks.
Between the two Carreghofa Locks was a side pond, necessary as the pound between the locks is short.
Near the Vyrnwy Aquedect arches were built in the embankment of the canal, to provide protection from flooding of the River Vyrnwy
. The aqueduct itself has been repaired and strengthened in the 1820s, 1890s and 1970s. It sometimes can be seen to leak into the River Vyrnwy, though the leaks self-heal. Unlike the nearby Chirk Aqueduct
and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
, which have a cast iron trough, the Vyrnwy Aqueduct is built of stone and is puddled
. The weight of this structure led to it being strengthened with tie bars and girders in the 1820s.
Bridges 102 and 103 carry a major road and have been lowered since the canal was closed. In order to restore navigation, lowering of the pound by addition of an extra lock has been proposed.
The section of the canal from Arddleen to Refail (Efail-Fach) Bridge is navigable.
The Guilsfield
Arm never actually reached Guilsfield. The arm was 2.25 miles (3.6 km) long, with a wharf at its terminus. It was level, with no locks or tunnels, which was achieved by a cutting 600 feet long and up to 20 feet deep. Today the arm is cut off from the main line by a lowered bridge. A short section has been made into a nature reserve, and beyond that the arm is dry.
The pound below Burgedin
Bottom Lock is the sump pound of the canal, the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire being filled by lockings from the Ellesmere, the Tanat feeder at Carreghofa, and a feeder from the River Rhiw at Berriew.
The canal through Welshpool was one of the first sections to be restored in 1969, when it was proposed that the route of the canal be used for a bypass
. Welshpool Town Lock had gates made of cast iron when the canal was closed. These were removed, taken to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and replaced by gates of a standard design.
Between bridges 145 and 146 the towpath briefly changes side of the canal. This is to accommodate a wharf.
Several of the bridges on this section of canal are made from cast iron, from nearby Brymbo.
Below bridge 153, water enters the canal from the Penarth Weir on the River Severn.
The section of the canal from Freestone Lock to Newtown is largely filled-in, and the basin in Newtown has been built on.
The Newtown Pumphouse raised water from the River Severn to the canal, initially using an undershot water wheel
to operate two bucket pumps. This was supplemented by a steam engine for times when the waterwheel failed to provide sufficient power. In time this arrangement was replaced by a diesel powered pump.
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, in eastern Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and in northwest Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, in western England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Originally planned to run from Llanymynech
Llanymynech
Llanymynech is a village straddling the border between Montgomeryshire/Powys, Wales and Shropshire, England about 9 miles north of the Welsh town of Welshpool. The name is Welsh for "Church of the Monks"....
to Newtown via Welshpool
Welshpool
Welshpool is a town in Powys, Wales, or ancient county Montgomeryshire, from the Wales-England border. The town is low-lying on the River Severn; the Welsh language name Y Trallwng literally meaning 'the marshy or sinking land'...
, the canal is today considered to run 33 miles (53 km) from the Llangollen Canal
Llangollen Canal
The Llangollen Canal is a navigable canal crossing the border between England and Wales. The waterway links Llangollen in Denbighshire, north Wales, with Hurleston in south Cheshire, via the town of Ellesmere, Shropshire....
(at Frankton Junction
Frankton Junction
Frankton Junction is the name of the canal junction where the Montgomery Canal terminates and meets the Llangollen Canal at Lower Frankton, Shropshire, England.-Bridge numbering:...
) to Newtown.
Originally known as the Montgomeryshire Canal, after the former county of Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Montgomeryshire is still used as a vice-county for wildlife recording...
, along with the adjoining Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal
Ellesmere Canal
The Ellesmere Canal was a canal in England and Wales, originally planned to link the Rivers Mersey, Dee, and Severn, by running from Netherpool to Shrewsbury. The canal that was eventually constructed was very different from what was originally envisioned...
, the canal fell in to disuse following a breach in 1936, and was officially abandoned in 1944. With the revival of canal use in the late 20th century, the canal became known as the Montgomery Canal, which was considered to include the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal.
At present only 7 miles (11 km) of the northern section, from Frankton Junction to Gronwyn Wharf, a short stretch at Llanymynech, and a central section of the canal around Welshpool are navigable, though restoration work
Waterway restoration
Waterway restoration is the activity of restoring a canal or river, including special features such as warehouse buildings, locks, boat lifts, and boats. In the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, the focus of waterway restoration is on improving navigability, while in Australia the term...
continues to expand this. The canal does not, and never did, go to the town of Montgomery
Montgomery, Powys
The historic county town of Montgomery in Powys, Wales lies just three miles from the English border in the Welsh Marches. It is best known for its castle, Montgomery Castle, begun in 1223, and its parish church, begun in 1227. However its origins go back much further, as seen by the Celtic Iron...
.
History
Agricultural lime
Agricultural lime, also called aglime, agricultural limestone, garden lime or liming, is a soil additive made from pulverized limestone or chalk. The primary active component is calcium carbonate...
for agricultural purposes, which would allow the Upper Severn Valley
Severn Valley (England)
The Severn Valley is a rural area of mid-western England, through which the River Severn runs and the Severn Valley Railway steam heritage line operates, starting at its northernmost point in Bridgnorth, Shropshire and running south for 16 miles to Bewdley, Worcestershire in the Wyre...
to become better agricultural land. As a result, the promoters of the canal included local landowners who hoped to achieve a return on their investment through greater crop yields, rather than relying upon share dividends.
The proposal of a canal from Llanymynech to Welshpool was made in 1792, to extend the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal, which was itself still then only a proposal. By 1793 it had been decided that the canal should continue through to Newtown. The canal was authorised in 1794 by an act of parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
entitled "An act for making a navigable Canal from or near Porthywain Lime Rocks in the parish of Llanyblodwell, in the county of Salop, to or near Newtown, in the county of Montgomery, and also certain collateral Cuts from the said Canal." The company was authorised to raise £72,000 from shares, and a further £20,000 if required. John Dadford
John Dadford
John Dadford was an English canal engineer, as were his father Thomas Dadford and brothers Thomas Dadford Junior and James Dadford.From 1794 – 1797, he was Engineer of the Montgomeryshire Canal. The Vyrnwy Aqueduct and Berriew Aqueduct both had difficulties, and Dadford resigned...
was appointed Engineer, while his brother Thomas Dadford Junior was appointed his assistant.
By 1797, 16 miles (26 km) had been built from Llanymynech to Garthmyl, stopping 7 miles (11 km) short of Newtown. During construction, both the Vyrnwy Aqueduct and the Berriew
Berriew
Berriew is a village in Powys, Wales, situated on the Montgomeryshire Canal and the river Rhiw near the confluence with the River Severn at...
Aqueduct had difficulties. John Dadford had resigned, and William Jessop
William Jessop
William Jessop was an English civil engineer, best known for his work on canals, harbours and early railways in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.-Early life:...
was called in to advise. John Dadford was later replaced with Thomas Dadford
Thomas Dadford
Thomas Dadford, Senior was an English canal engineer, as were his sons, Thomas Dadford Junior, John Dadford and James Dadford.He probably originated from Stewponey or Stourton near Stourbridge. He started as one of James Brindley's many pupil-assistants, in which capacity he worked on the...
senior.
A lack of capital
Capital (economics)
In economics, capital, capital goods, or real capital refers to already-produced durable goods used in production of goods or services. The capital goods are not significantly consumed, though they may depreciate in the production process...
and income prevented completion of the canal, and it remained with Garthmyl as its terminus for 20 years. With an estimated cost for the canal between Garthmyl and Newtown of £28,268, shareholders feared they might lose their investment if the canal were completed, so a separate company was set up to build the remainder of the canal through to Newtown. In reality, this second company had many shareholders in common with the original company. In order to limit the risk to shareholders' dividends, it was required that the new section of canal be generating profit at least equal to that of the existing section before any merger of the two companies could take place. In 1815 an act of parliament was passed, to authorise the raising £40,000 in new shares to complete the canal. The new section of canal was known as the Western Branch of the Montgomeryshire Canal, the original section being known as the Eastern Branch.
The Western Branch was planned by Josias Jessop
Josias Jessop
Josias Jessop was a noted canal engineer, and second son of William Jessop.In 1802 he and his father were appointed engineers of the proposed Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Railway....
, to include six locks of eight feet each, with the cut being 4 feet 6 inches deep, and 15 feet wide at the bottom. John Williams
John Williams (engineer)
John Williams was Engineer of the Western Branch of the Montgomeryshire Canal, in the historic county of Montgomeryshire, Wales, completed in 1821.-See also:*Canals of the United Kingdom*History of the British canal system-References:...
was appointed as resident engineer. The Western branch was completed in 1821.
As a result of the Western Branch needing to be profitable in order to allow the branches to merge, a higher tonnage charge was imposed on the Western Branch.
In 1821 a further act of parliament was obtained, in order to alter the line of the Tanat feeder, and to make a navigable cut from the Guildfield Branch. This act also allowed the consolidation of the Eastern and Western branches with the consent of the proprietors of each, and clarified that the commencement of the Eastern branch was to be taken as the distance of thirty five yards from the sill of the upper gate of the higher of the two Carreghofa locks.
This alteration to the line of the Tanat feeder resulted in the feeder now supplying the pound above the Carreghofa locks, whereas it previously fed the canal below the locks.
In 1847 the Eastern Branch was purchased by the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company
Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company
The Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company was a Company in England, formed in 1846, which managed several canals and a railway. It was leased by the London and North Western Railway from 1847, and bought by it in 1922, but continued to act as a semi-autonomous body, managing the canals until...
, and became part of the Shropshire Union
Shropshire Union Canal
The Shropshire Union Canal is a navigable canal in England; the Llangollen and Montgomery canals are the modern names of branches of the Shropshire Union system and lie partially in Wales....
network. In 1850 the Western Branch was also purchased by the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company. Bridge numbers on the Montgomery sections of the canal continue on from the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal to reflect this. Today, bridge numbers on the Montgomery Canal continue on from Llangollen Canal bridge numbers at Frankton Junction
Frankton Junction
Frankton Junction is the name of the canal junction where the Montgomery Canal terminates and meets the Llangollen Canal at Lower Frankton, Shropshire, England.-Bridge numbering:...
, with the first bridge on the Montgomery Canal (Lockgate Bridge) being therefore bridge number 71 and not number 1. The Llangollen Canal has, because of this, two separate series of bridge numbering, with one ending and the other beginning at Frankton Junction.
Partly due to the late arrival of railways in the area, traffic gradually increased and the Montgomery Canal became profitable. It remained so until after the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, after which it began making heavy losses. The Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company was bought out by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
in 1922 and the canal became increasingly run-down.
In 1936 a breach occurred near Frankton Junction, below Lockgate Bridge. Despite a statutory duty to maintain the canal, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway decided to abandon it. In 1944 an Act of Abandonment was passed by parliament, stating that the waterway had not been used for some years.
Restoration
Since 1969 when the canal through Welshpool was threatened by a proposed road bypass, the canal has been partially restored for use by pleasure boaters. In some places the canal has been filled in, roads have been built over the channel, bridges have been lowered, and infrastructure such as pipes and manhole covers have been built in the canal bed, presenting several obstacles to restoration. The section from Freestone Lock to Newtown is dry, and no longer in British Waterways ownership.In 1987 the locks at Frankton Junction were restored and officially reopened.
In 1996 the 4 miles (6 km) section from Frankton Junction to Queen's Head was reopened.
In 2001 work was started on the restoration of Newhouse Lock, with an estimated cost of £104,000. Soon after work started on the lock, it became evident that there were structural problems which had not been apparent when the first engineering inspection had been carried out. The costs were reappraised and a revised estimate of £250,000 was produced. The restoration was completed on schedule in 2006, and the lock was opened officially on 25 June 2006 by Lembit Opik
Lembit Öpik
Lembit Öpik is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Montgomeryshire in Wales from 1997 until he lost his seat in the 2010 General Election...
, M.P., in conjunction with the Annual Montgomery Dinghy Dawdle
Montgomery Dinghy Dawdle
The Montgomery Dinghy Dawdle is an event held annually to promote use and awareness of the Montgomery Canal.The event is organised by the Shropshire Union Canal Society, with help from the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, part of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, and supported by British...
. This completed the restoration of all of the locks on the section of the canal owned by British Waterways
British Waterways
British Waterways is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the government of the United Kingdom, serving as the navigation authority in England, Scotland and Wales for the vast majority of the canals as well as a number of rivers and docks...
, and was the eleventh lock to be restored by Shropshire Union Canal Society
Shropshire Union Canal Society
Shropshire Union Canal Society is an organisation formed to promote interest in the Shropshire Union Canal.In December 1964 the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Association was formed, with the ambition of restoring to navigation the canals between Norbury Junction and Shrewsbury...
.
In 2003 the 3 miles (5 km) section from Queen's Head to Gronwen Wharf was reopened. In October 2007 the 800 metres (875 yd) section from Gronwen Wharf to Redwith Bridge was filled with water, but is not open to navigation by motorised vessels.
In October 2007 restoration was started on the 400 metres (437 yd) section from Redwith Bridge to Pryce's Bridge.
In 2007 restoration of Crickheath Wharf was started by the Shropshire Union Canal Society
Shropshire Union Canal Society
Shropshire Union Canal Society is an organisation formed to promote interest in the Shropshire Union Canal.In December 1964 the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Association was formed, with the ambition of restoring to navigation the canals between Norbury Junction and Shrewsbury...
, though in 2008 work was postponed due to land ownership issues.
Restoration is being carried out by a partnership of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust
Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust
Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust is a registered charity, number 510448, which exists to promote the restoration of the Montgomery Canal.The Trust was formed in 1980 and its members include:*Inland Waterways Association*Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust...
and British Waterways
British Waterways
British Waterways is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the government of the United Kingdom, serving as the navigation authority in England, Scotland and Wales for the vast majority of the canals as well as a number of rivers and docks...
.
Architecture
The lock gearLock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
on the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire were of a different design to those on other canals. Whereas most other canal locks have culverts in the side walls to fill and empty the lock, with paddles opening and closing vertically, the locks on the Montgomeryshire were designed with a culvert in the base of the canal, with the paddle sliding horizontally over the culvert. During operation this can lead to a large whirlpool
Whirlpool
A whirlpool is a swirling body of water usually produced by ocean tides. The vast majority of whirlpools are not very powerful. More powerful ones are more properly termed maelstroms. Vortex is the proper term for any whirlpool that has a downdraft...
being observed. In order to operate the paddle, the winding gear is purely a geared design, rather than rack and pinion. An effect of this is that there is no pawl to be operated, and the paddles cannot be accidentally dropped shut. The paddle gear was designed by George W. Buck
George W. Buck
George Watson Buck was Engineer of the Montgomeryshire Canal in the early 19th Century, and was responsible for the unique lock paddle design....
, who was appointed Engineer of the Eastern branch in 1819, and Clerk to the Western branch in 1832.
Many of the lock gates on the Montgomeryshire Canal were replaced with cast iron gates. These gates were curved, with tubular cast iron balance beams. The last surviving pair were removed from Welshpool and taken to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, part of England's National Waterways Museum, is a canal museum located next to the Grand Union Canal just south of the Blisworth Tunnel, near the village of Stoke Bruerne in Northamptonshire...
in the early 1970s.
Nature Conservation
In the years following the closure of the canal wildlife flourished. The whole of the Welsh section and parts of the English section (notably the section from the Aston Locks to Keeper's Bridge) were designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The notable wildlife includes Floating Water Plantain and Grass-wrack PondweedPondweed
Pondweed refers to many species and genera of aquatic plants and green algae:*Potamogeton, a diverse and worldwide genus*Elodea, found in North America*Aponogeton, in Africa, Asia and Australasia*Groenlandia, a genus of aquatic plants...
.
In order to preserve the wildlife, nature reserves have been created at points along the canal. These include Rednal Basin, most of the Weston Branch and a specially constructed reserve alongside the Aston Locks. Some winding hole
Winding hole
A winding hole is a widened area of a canal , used for turning a canal boat such as a narrowboat. "Winding" is pronounced as in a flow of air, not as in to rotate.-Etymology:...
s have been given over to nature, with the one adjacent to Crofts Mill Lift Bridge having had boat barriers installed, and the one adjacent to Park Mill Bridge allowed to be partially overgrown. There is a maximum of 1250 boats per year allowed passage on the navigable section in England (ie that part connected to the Llangollen Canal). In addition there are stricter speed restrictions than normally found on British canals, with speed limits of 2 and 3 mph for example on the navigable and connected part.
Towpath
The towpath of almost all the canal is used as a footpath. The section between Pool Quay Lock and Newtown forms part of the Severn WaySevern Way
The Severn Way is a waymarked long-distance footpath in the United Kingdom following the course of the River Severn in the West Country of England and Mid Wales.-Distance:...
. Shorter sections south of Llanymynech and Pool Quay are followed by the Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path is a long distance footpath along the Welsh-English border. Opened in 1971, it is one of Britain's premier National Trails and draws walkers from throughout the world...
.
Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal
This section was originally a branch of the Ellesmere CanalEllesmere Canal
The Ellesmere Canal was a canal in England and Wales, originally planned to link the Rivers Mersey, Dee, and Severn, by running from Netherpool to Shrewsbury. The canal that was eventually constructed was very different from what was originally envisioned...
, but is today considered the first section of the Montgomery Canal. The section of the canal from Frankton Junction to Gronwen Wharf (just north of Bridge 82) is navigable by narrowboat
Narrowboat
A narrowboat or narrow boat is a boat of a distinctive design, made to fit the narrow canals of Great Britain.In the context of British Inland Waterways, "narrow boat" refers to the original working boats built in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries for carrying goods on the narrow canals...
.
A lockkeeper looks after Frankton Locks, as the canal pound
Canal pound
A canal pound, aka reach, is the stretch of level water impounded between two canal locks. Canal pounds can vary in length from the non-existent, where two or more immediately adjacent locks form a lock staircase, to many miles....
between the locks is small, and water levels vary greatly as the locks are worked. Alongside the locks are several canal buildings, including a boatbuilder's
Boat building
Boat building, one of the oldest branches of engineering, is concerned with constructing the hulls of boats and, for sailboats, the masts, spars and rigging.-Parts:* Bow - the front and generally sharp end of the hull...
house. The last boatbuilder to live here was a relative of the late L.T.C. Rolt.
The now-infilled Weston Branch, which terminated at Weston Lullingfields
Weston Lullingfields
Weston Lullingfields is a village in Shropshire, England. It is located about 15km north west of Shrewsbury.The village name 'Weston' is a common one in England. It is Anglo Saxon in origin and means 'west farm'....
, branches off between Frankton Locks and Lockgate Bridge. Only a short section remains, used for mooring, with a British Waterways
British Waterways
British Waterways is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the government of the United Kingdom, serving as the navigation authority in England, Scotland and Wales for the vast majority of the canals as well as a number of rivers and docks...
amenity block alongside.
The canal passes through a peat bog, which has been drained since the construction of the canal. This lowering of the water level has meant that during restoration the canal had to be lined to prevent leakage, and a new lock was required to lower the water level. This lock was named Graham Palmer
Graham Palmer
Graham Palmer was a British sprint canoer who competed in the early 1950s. He finished 15th in the K-2 10000 m event at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.-References:*...
Lock, after the founder of the Waterway Recovery Group
Waterway Recovery Group
The Waterway Recovery Group , founded in 1970, is the national co-ordinating body for voluntary labour on the inland waterways of the United Kingdom.-Activities:...
.
The Perry Aqueduct crosses the River Perry
River Perry, Shropshire
The River Perry is a river in Shropshire, England.The river begins near Oswestry and flows south to meet the River Severn near Shrewsbury.The Montgomery Canal crosses the river....
, and was replaced during restoration. The old aqueduct was a three-arch aqueduct, but due to the lowered water level the new aqueduct was built as a single span to avoid impeding the river's flow.
Rednal Basin was originally used for transshipment
Transshipment
Transshipment or Transhipment is the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, and then from there to yet another destination....
between the canal and the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
. Although the link to the basin still exists, the basin itself is unnavigable. At Queen's Head the canal passes under both the old and the new A5 road. There are mooring spaces and some British Waterways buildings at Queen's Head. Following on from Queen's Head are the three Aston Locks. The top lock has a nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
alongside, built during restoration.
The canal passes through Maesbury Marsh, a village built largely alongside the canal. An environmentally friendly building, incorporating a Post Office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, shop, tearoom and accommodation was built alongside the canal near the village (just to the west of Spiggots Bridge) in 2006. Mooring is available along sections of the canal at Maesbury Marsh. Bridge 81 is a lift bridge, which requires a windlass to operate, and immediately to its west the Mill Arm (or Peate's Branch) has been restored for much of its length, giving access to a boatyard and private moorings.
The section of the canal from Gronwen Wharf to Redwith Bridge (No. 83) was re-opened in October 2007, though is not navigable by powered craft as Gronwen Wharf is the final winding hole
Winding hole
A winding hole is a widened area of a canal , used for turning a canal boat such as a narrowboat. "Winding" is pronounced as in a flow of air, not as in to rotate.-Etymology:...
on this navigable section of the canal. The newly-planted vegetation along this stretch also needs establishing. Therefore Gronwen Wharf remains as the general limit of navigation. Redwith Bridge had been lowered since the canal's closure, but has recently been rebuilt and is now capable of taking narrowboats underneath once again.
The section of the canal from Redwith Bridge to Llanymynech is dry and partially infilled. Restoration is gradually taking place from Redwith Bridge to Crickheath Wharf (located just north of Bridge 85), which will be the next winding hole to be available when this section of canal is restored. Through Pant
Pant, Shropshire
Pant is a village in Shropshire, England. It lies near the border with Wales. Pant means 'hollow' in Welsh: it is directly below the disused mines at Llanymynech Rocks Nature Reserve....
the canal ran alongside the Oswestry and Newtown Railway, which later became part of the Cambrian Railways
Cambrian Railways
Cambrian Railways owned of track over a large area of mid-Wales. The system was an amalgamation of a number of railways that were incorporated in 1864, 1865 and 1904...
network. The Cambrian Railways Trust
Cambrian Railways Trust
The Cambrian Railways Trust is based in Suite 1 of the Old Station Building in Oswestry, Shropshire, England.Oswestry was the headquarters of the former Cambrian Railways, previous to the 1922 regrouping of UK railways to form part of The Great Western Railway , one of the "Big Four" railway...
has restored a short section of the line between Llynclys
Llynclys
Llynclys is a small village in Shropshire, England, in the civil parish of Llanyblodwel. It lies north of Pant at the crossroads of the A483 and B4396, where there are several houses and a pub, the White Lion....
and Pant, and has plans to open a halt at Penygarreg Lane
Penygarreg Lane halt
Penygarreg Lane is a halt on the Cambrian Railways Trust's heritage line in Shropshire. It is on the northern edge of the village of Pant, north of the disused Pant station...
adjacent to the canal.
The section of the canal from Llanymynech to Carreghofa is in water, though Carreghofa Lane now crosses the canal just to the north of Walls Bridge (No. 93) and this new crossing (built after the canal's closure) obstructs the canal. Since 2006, the short section between the new winding hole (located between Llanymynech and Pant) through Llanymynech is navigable and the wharf at Llanymynech has been restored. A second winding hole to the east of Llanymynech Bridge (No. 92) allows for boats to traverse this section of the canal and turn-around at either end. As the canal passes underneath Llanymynech Bridge it passes from Shropshire, England into Powys, Wales. Canal trips are provided on this Llanymynech stretch by the narrowboat George Watson Buck.
Wern Aqueduct was built after the canal was originally opened, to allow a newly-constructed branch of the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway to pass below. A temporary diversion of the canal was put in place to allow construction of the aqueduct, and the entrances to the diversion remain visible.
A feeder from the River Tanat, enters the canal above Carreghofa Locks. Built in 1822 by the Montgomeryshire Canal Company, it originally fed water between the locks, so that none could enter the Ellesmere Canal. When the canals were united the feeder was diverted to enter the canal above the locks, so that the lowest pound of the former Ellesmere Canal also gained from the feeder.
The end of the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal joins end-on to the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire Canal at Carreghofa Locks.
Eastern Branch
The section of the canal from Carreghofa to Arddleen is in water, though several bridges have been lowered.Between the two Carreghofa Locks was a side pond, necessary as the pound between the locks is short.
Near the Vyrnwy Aquedect arches were built in the embankment of the canal, to provide protection from flooding of the River Vyrnwy
River Vyrnwy
The River Vyrnwy is a river which flows through northern Powys, Wales, and Shropshire, England.The river used to be sourced from the many rivers and streams running off the mountains surrounding the Vyrnwy valley. However, since the Lake Vyrnwy dam was built in the 1880s, the river has flowed...
. The aqueduct itself has been repaired and strengthened in the 1820s, 1890s and 1970s. It sometimes can be seen to leak into the River Vyrnwy, though the leaks self-heal. Unlike the nearby Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk Aqueduct is a high and long navigable aqueduct that carries what is now the Llangollen Canal across the Ceiriog Valley near Chirk, on the England-Wales border....
and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal over the valley of the River Dee in Wrexham in north east Wales....
, which have a cast iron trough, the Vyrnwy Aqueduct is built of stone and is puddled
Puddling (engineering)
Puddle is a watertight material based on clay used in building and maintaining canals or reservoirs. Puddling is the process of lining the channel with puddle....
. The weight of this structure led to it being strengthened with tie bars and girders in the 1820s.
Bridges 102 and 103 carry a major road and have been lowered since the canal was closed. In order to restore navigation, lowering of the pound by addition of an extra lock has been proposed.
The section of the canal from Arddleen to Refail (Efail-Fach) Bridge is navigable.
The Guilsfield
Guilsfield
Guilsfield is a village and local government community in Powys, Wales. It lies beside Guilsfield Brook about three miles north of Welshpool. It is located on the B4392 road and a disused branch of the Montgomery Canal starts nearby...
Arm never actually reached Guilsfield. The arm was 2.25 miles (3.6 km) long, with a wharf at its terminus. It was level, with no locks or tunnels, which was achieved by a cutting 600 feet long and up to 20 feet deep. Today the arm is cut off from the main line by a lowered bridge. A short section has been made into a nature reserve, and beyond that the arm is dry.
The pound below Burgedin
Burgedin
Burgedin is a village in Powys, Wales. The Montgomery Canal passes through the village.- External links :*...
Bottom Lock is the sump pound of the canal, the Eastern Branch of the Montgomeryshire being filled by lockings from the Ellesmere, the Tanat feeder at Carreghofa, and a feeder from the River Rhiw at Berriew.
The canal through Welshpool was one of the first sections to be restored in 1969, when it was proposed that the route of the canal be used for a bypass
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
. Welshpool Town Lock had gates made of cast iron when the canal was closed. These were removed, taken to Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and replaced by gates of a standard design.
Western Branch
The section of the canal from Refail (Efail-Fach) Bridge to Freestone Lock is in water, though several bridges have been lowered. This includes bridges of the A483, which runs in the same direction as the canal, traversing it in places.Between bridges 145 and 146 the towpath briefly changes side of the canal. This is to accommodate a wharf.
Several of the bridges on this section of canal are made from cast iron, from nearby Brymbo.
Below bridge 153, water enters the canal from the Penarth Weir on the River Severn.
The section of the canal from Freestone Lock to Newtown is largely filled-in, and the basin in Newtown has been built on.
The Newtown Pumphouse raised water from the River Severn to the canal, initially using an undershot water wheel
Water wheel
A water wheel is a machine for converting the energy of free-flowing or falling water into useful forms of power. A water wheel consists of a large wooden or metal wheel, with a number of blades or buckets arranged on the outside rim forming the driving surface...
to operate two bucket pumps. This was supplemented by a steam engine for times when the waterwheel failed to provide sufficient power. In time this arrangement was replaced by a diesel powered pump.
Points of interest
See also
- Canals of the United KingdomCanals of the United KingdomThe canals of the United Kingdom are a major part of the network of inland waterways in the United Kingdom. They have a colourful history, from use for irrigation and transport, through becoming the focus of the Industrial Revolution, to today's role for recreational boating...
- Shropshire Union CanalShropshire Union CanalThe Shropshire Union Canal is a navigable canal in England; the Llangollen and Montgomery canals are the modern names of branches of the Shropshire Union system and lie partially in Wales....
- Shropshire Union Canal SocietyShropshire Union Canal SocietyShropshire Union Canal Society is an organisation formed to promote interest in the Shropshire Union Canal.In December 1964 the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Association was formed, with the ambition of restoring to navigation the canals between Norbury Junction and Shrewsbury...