Newport City Council Responds to Our Concerns on the Poor Condition of the Crumlin Arm Canal

The “canal” channel west of Ruskin Avenue Newport, which is in desperate need of maintenance

Our Trust has been extremely concerned about the lack of maintenance on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Newport. We have also, like many local residents, been alarmed by the lack of water in both the Crumlin Arm, and main line of the canal north of Newport. Our views on the lack of water in the Crumlin Arm were set out in our news article in May, and received much … Read more

The Crumlin Arm Water Shortage – a continuing problem

Crumlin Arm Drought 2022

In recent years, much criticism has been laid at the door of Newport City Council for lack of maintenance on both the Crumlin Arm and the main line from Malpas North. Whilst a substantial amount of public money has been spent recently on improving the towpath under the Active Travel initiative to provide a safe and convenient route for walkers and cyclists, the visual attractiveness of this route is severely … Read more

MBACT Response to the Draft Lower Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys Masterplan

Caerphilly Consultation Masterplan Jan 2022

We recently responded to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s consultation on their “Draft Lower Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys Masterplan”. You can find more information and a copy of the masterplan here on Caerphilly’s website: https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/involved/Consultations/draft-lower-ebbw-and-sirhowy-valleys-masterplan You can find our response in this PDF document – https://mbact.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MBACT-Comments-on-Draft-Caerphilly-Masterplan-1st-Mar-2022.pdf We are disappointed that Caerphilly CBC are not utilising the huge potential of the canal. “Whilst the potential of the canal has been mentioned there … Read more

A journey along the Fourteen Locks Flight on the Cefn Arm, Newport

Look at our new video 🙂 We are extremely grateful to Grant at Birds Eye View Photography for filming the Fourteen Locks flight and the Canal Centre for us. The video shows the whole flight and the poor state that the flight is in overall. Though of course the work that was done on the top few locks over the last 10 years shows what is possible. We are well … Read more

CRT Virtual open day on Mon & Brec Canal

Revd. John Collier on CRT Virtual Open Day video

The Canal and River Trust / Glandŵr Cymru (CRT) has recently published a interesting set of videos as a “Virtual Open Day on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal“. The videos were all filmed around a section of the canal that was undergoing maintenance at Mamhilad. Our MBACT Chairman the Revd. John Collier contributed to a video focusing on wellbeing, and the peace and tranquillity of the canal. You can visit … Read more

Mon and Brec Canal loses out in Levelling Up funding

Derelict Mon and Brec Canal Grrenforge Way Cwmbran

Open letter to the Leaders of Newport City Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, and Caerphilly County Borough Council. Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust is bitterly disappointed that local Councils have not applied for UK Government Levelling Up funding to restore our canal. Our Trust congratulates the successful partnership – comprising Powys County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council and the Canal and River Trust, supported by local … Read more

Bridge 46 finally open to navigation after 3 year closure

Bridge 46 October 2021

MBACT is very pleased to report that the Bridge 46 to Five Locks section of canal is now finally open again after a long closure due to the installation of drainage works for the adjacent new housing development. We recognise the work that the Bridge 46 Facebook Group has done in highlighting the very long delay in returning the canal south of Bridge 46 to navigation with the resultant detrimental … Read more

New Manager for the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre

Laura Thomas outside the Fourteen Locks Centre

We are delighted to announce that we have a new Manager for the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre. The new manager is Laura Thomas. Laura is well known on the Mon & Brec canal and has her own boat moored at Llangattock. Laura has previously worked as a manager for the Big Issue and also in the Care sector. Laura started at the Centre this week, ably supported by Assistant Manager … Read more

New Boaters’ Signing Book for the Open Hearth Pub

Open Hearth Inn Sebastopol

Members of the Facebook group “Bridge 46 to Five Locks” have commissioned a brand-new Boater’s Signing Book for the Open Hearth pub in Griffithstown. The presentation of the Boaters’ Signing Book will take place at the Open Hearth public house on Saturday 28th August at 10.00. Invited guests will be Gareth & Kirsty, Landlord & Landlady of the Open Hearth, Members of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Facebook Group … Read more

Volunteer paddleboard instructor roles available with CRT on Mon & Brec canal

Jo Moseley paddleboarding on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Fancy teaching people to paddleboard on the Mon & Brec canal? This looks like a great volunteer opportunity with the Canal and River Trust (CRT) … https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/…/14242b12-volunteer… Training starts with CRT on 23rd August. Photo is of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Photo at the top of this page – Jo Moseley paddleboarding on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Copyright CRT