Canal Information August 2025
Improvement work at Fourteen Locks Pond
Behind the scenes, Newport City Council has been working towards further developments to the canal network. This project has been planned for some time and we are pleased to announce that construction will start within the next few weeks on upgrading the pond at Fourteen Locks. The work is the latest in a series of improvements the Council has made along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal over the last couple of years.
The bottom of the pond will be desilted, as well as having a new ultraviolet light protective membrane lining fitted to enhance water retention.
Other planned improvements include:
- The removal of concrete sets on the water’s edge which will be replaced with more natural stone chippings.
- Repointing the weir area to the side of the boat ramp.
- Adding floating islands to the pond which will be planted up with suitable plants.
- A new fixed island which will house the fully renovated Dragonfly sculpture.
- Adding more aquatic and marginal plants to the pond banks which will increase the biodiversity and habitat for birds and waterfowl.
All the planned works will be overseen by external ecologists who will ensure any remaining species are safeguarded and by archaeologist groups to ensure that any ancient structures are not damaged during the project. We have been discussing our plans with CADW and they are happy with our vision for the new look Fourteen Locks Pond.
The renovations are due to start soon, following the bird nesting season, and are expected to be completed by the second week of November.
Overall, these improvements will help future proof the pond against more extreme weather changes.
Introducing Our Contractor
Newport City Council went through a tendering process and following evaluation Noel Fitzpatrick Ltd were the clear winner of the tender so they will be delivering the project. We are proud to be working with them again for this ambitious assignment.
A struggling canal network
- The pond and canal network across Newport is currently suffering from decreased water levels this season, mainly as a result of the driest spring on record in the UK for almost a century impacting on water flow and water levels.
- Neighbouring councils and the entire UK canal network are experiencing similar issues.
- Our closest main water feed was just over the border at Manor Road in Caerphilly County Borough but this was closed off a few years ago due to sewage contamination. To date this has not been restored.
- Newport’s stretch of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal has no rivers, streams, brooks or springs feeding into it. We are solely reliant on the water we receive where our section joins Caerphilly and Torfaen Borders. Other than that, we also heavily rely on rainfall of which there has been very little.
- Historically the canal was fed by large water reservoirs higher up the networks. These were stopped decades ago to help feed into the systems that provide us with running water direct to our homes.
- All our canal water feeds into the River Usk passing under Malpas Road near Barrack Hill.
- Our canal, like many other sections of the network which suffer from water retention, is heavily wooded. A mature tree can consume a significant amount of water, with daily usage varying greatly depending on species, size, and environmental conditions. A large oak tree, for example, can drink 50-100 gallons (189-378 litres) per day during the growing season. Many trees across the network will have roots directly in and under the canal.
- Natural evaporation will cause water loss and the greater the temperature the higher the evaporation rate. Leave a small bowl of water outside in your garden in direct sunlight and see how much is lost in just a few days. Gardeners with ponds will know all about this when, particularly in this weather, they will be looking to top up the water from a hose or their water butts.
- Newport City Council have, for many years, sealed lock gates and stopped up sections of the canal with clay & stank boards in an effort to maintain water levels within different sections.
Disappointingly & Sadly
- Unfortunately, this year we have had our new set of metal
gates cut into with a disc cutter, sealed gates opened
and stank boards cut through with saws. These actions have certainly led to further water losses from the Rogerstone Arm.
Can we please ask that individuals, however well-meaning,
to please not take matters into their own hands
and disrupt or damage such measures.
Updates about the work will be shared as it progresses on our website and social media platforms.
This project is being funded by the UK government through their Shared Prosperity Fund.
