Montgomery Canal: Regeneration through Sustainable Restoration Summary document Montgomery Canal Partnership September 2005 With funding from INTRODUCTION his document is a summary of a much larger conservation management strategy (CMS) for the T Montgomery Canal, published in 2005, to provide a framework for the future restoration of the Canal. The main document is available on the web at www.britishwaterways.co.uk, at local libraries and council offices, or on request from British Waterways as a CD ROM. This summary is intended as an easier way to absorb the main principles of the CMS and a guide to what can be found in the main document. Supporting information for all the points made in this summary can be found in the main document itself, along with further references to background material. The Strategy seeks to include all aspects of the built and natural heritage of the canal and canal corridor, and its use as a recreation resource by the local community. The role in recreation includes walking, cycling, angling and canoes, as well as traditional narrowboats. As an overall framework for the whole restoration, the Strategy also touches on the role of the canal in rural regeneration, and this document highlights some of the possible local developments. This vision has been put together under the guidance of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, which has representatives covering the full range of interests, including local authorities, conservation organisations and waterway groups. The canal is a much-loved place; it has international value for its wildlife, 127 listed buildings and structures, and is included in British Waterways’ national priority list for restoration. To attract funding for the scale of work involved, in the order of £45million for Phase 1, it will be essential to demonstrate to funding organisations such as Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West Midlands and the Welsh Development Agency, that the plans have the support of all interested parties. All fifteen organisations in the Partnership support the principle of restoration for the Canal, and there was initial public consultation in the summer of 2003, and a draft strategy was published in March 2004. Following further changes and improvements the partnership have now agreed and confirmed the final documents. Members of the Montgomery Canal Partnership British Waterways Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Countryside Council for Wales English Heritage English Nature Environment Agency Inland Waterways Association Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Oswestry Borough Council Powys County Council Shropshire County Council Shropshire Union Canal Society Shropshire Wildlife Trust Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales The Strategy will be used as the basis for future management and restoration, and for submitting a series of funding applications for the work ahead. Front cover: Saturn Fly Boat, Montgomery Canal, September 2005 © Harry Arnold / Waterway Images 01283 790447 2 A UNIQUE AND SUSTAINABLE RESTORATION FOR REGENERATION The Montgomery Canal has been the subject of an ongoing campaign to restore navigation since 1969, but plans for restoration have at times caused a conflict with other interests, especially nature conservation. However, there are many reasons for not accepting the current arrangements, with parts of the canal navigable, parts in water but blocked by dropped road bridges, and some sections completely dry. Reasons for restoration • The Welshpool navigable length is isolated from the rest of the inland waterway network and is not big enough to support viable canal-based businesses in the long-term. • Without positive management, nature conservation interest would decline, and the built heritage slowly deteriorate. • The canal is highly valued by the local community but under-used by both local people and visitors. • Like all our inland waterways, it has great potential to help stimulate regeneration and economic growth, attracting visitors to the area and providing wider benefits for the people who live near by. There has been overwhelming support for the restoration of the canal, with careful safeguards, and this strategy is intended to map a way forward, and provide practical solutions that will resolve the previous tensions between different interests. This has required a willingness to share and understand the values and interests of others. The Montgomery Canal Partnership have worked hard to develop that understanding, both within the Partnership and in wider circles, and have reached a belief in a shared way forward based on the overarching theme of sustainable restoration. The proposals in this document go wider than many conservation plans, for it incorporates issues of economic and social benefit from the beginning. These are issues that are important to many local residents. The canal needs a sustainable future – one in which its values are protected, enhanced and above all enjoyed within an economically viable framework. The long-term future of the canal is as a valued, shared resource. Sustainable navigation and boats are an integral part of a living, working canal. The built heritage and natural heritage are intricately entwined, and both rely on the support of the local community for their future. The key elements of the vision for the future of the Montgomery Canal are: • A community resource, valued and used by all • A corridor of opportunity that will provide a driving force for rural regeneration • A restoration to navigation that respects values and enhances the unique nature of the Montgomery Canal • Sustainability at the heart of all management and development. The objective for the Partnership is to use this document as a means to unlock the major external funds necessary to achieve the aims and policies within the strategy. It is based on a balance that recognises and protects conservation interests, and seeks a community led process. 3 THE RESTORATION SO FAR, SOME DATES AND MILESTONES Frankton Locks opened 1997 Frankton to Aston locks nature Queen’s Head reserve opened 1994 opened 1996 Carreghofa Locks restored 1986 Aston Locks to Gallowstree Bridge opened 1992 Gronwen opened 2003 Start of Restoration – “The Big Dig” Welshpool 1969 Gronwen to Llanymynech (dry section) PHASE 1: ENGLAND Whitehouse Bridge opened 1995 Llanymynech to Arddleen (in water but blocked by bridges) PHASE 1: WALES Belan Locks restored 1980 Burgedin to Arddleen opened in 2000 Brynderwen: slipway for trailboats 2006 Burgedin to Gallowstree restored 1980, connected to Welshpool 1992 Abermule bridge 1973 Whitehouse to Berriew opened 1996 Newhouse Lock Refail to Freestone, in water but under restoration blocked by dropped bridges completion 2006 PHASE 2: WALES Freestone to Newtown: dry. Not in BW ownership. Powys CC study 2003/04 PHASE 2/3: WALES 4 PHASING OF RESTORATION The major costs involved mean that the continued restoration of the canal is likely to be undertaken in stages. The first priority is to re-connect the navigable length of canal at Welshpool, through Llanymynech, to join up with the northern section at Gronwen Wharf, near Maesbury, and thus to the national network. This is likely to be undertaken as two separate stages of work, Phase 1: England and Phase 1: Wales. The economic impact from this section stands to be great, as restoring eight miles of canal will connect with a further eleven miles which is currently under-used. Restoration of the southern section (Phase 2: Wales) will need to follow as a later phase or phases. Access to funding will depend on demonstrating the success of Phase 1; a success that must demonstrate that our vision of a vibrant canal, a canal which protects the values of everyone, is a deliverable reality. In parallel to the major engineering, and complementing it, the Partnership will seek to deliver small scale local improvements to the amenity, for example local footpath and signage improvements; we believe increased local access and use will support and reinforce the case for further major restoration (see chart). The capital costs of restoration will have to be met through a range of grants, which are likely to include heritage sources, local authorities and economic regeneration packages. This means that progress will be dependent on availability of funding, and it is not possible to give accurate timescales. However, the strategy will be used by the Partnership as the basis for a series of funding applications in the coming months and years. 3 mth PHASE 1 – Priority Works for COMMUNITY- Positive 6 ENGLAND Phase 1 – Wales BASED TOURISM Management of 9 European- 1 year Extend navigation In-channel and off-line Improve linkages to the designated nature 3 to Llanymynech nature reserves to be canal corridor, develop 6 created along the use/facilities and conservation site 9 Provide 4.5 ha of off- length to be enable canal-facing in Wales 1 year line nature reserve as reconnected businesses 3 compensation for canal Ongoing throughout 6 channel SSSI Translocation of some As funding regeneration 9 plants from canal to opportunities allow 1 year Retain original channel colonise these areas PHASE 1 – WALES throughout the whole programme 3 design with soft banks canal corridor and the 6 and reed fringe To re-connect the whole regeneration Includes dredging 9 Welshpool section with programme south of Refail 1 year Develop Llanymynech the national inland (with recovering 3 as a destination waterway network 6 in its own right and replanting of 9 Remove