Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Lynne Neagle MS, and Cllr Anthony Hunt have jointly
welcomed the announcement of £5m from the Welsh Government to upgrade Welsh
Water’s pumping station, which is supporting the current temporary agreement
between the Canal and River Trust and Welsh Water to supply the Monmouthshire and
Brecon Canal.
The Canal & River Trust previously abstracted water from the River Usk to maintain
supply under an exemption. However, in 2018, legislative changes meant that these
abstractions now required a licence with conditions, designed to protect the River Usk
which is a designated Special Area of Conservation. These conditions restrict the
amount of water that can be taken from the river for the canal during low flows.
Welsh Water and the Canal & River Trust have a temporary agreement in place until
April 2026 to supply the Mon and Brec Canal with sufficient water, which has offered a
lifeline for the canal.
The Torfaen MP and MS convened a stakeholder meeting in May to facilitate early
discussions on exploring potential long-term solutions to the canal’s water supply. This
was followed by a further meeting convened by the Welsh Government on July 10 to
address the immediate and long-term challenges to the Canal.
Following the meeting, the Deputy First Minister agreed to establish a Task and Finish
Group to build on this positive meeting, and to prioritise capital funding of up to £5m
upgrade the pumping station, which is supporting the current temporary agreement,
with a hope this will provide the basis for the arrangement to be put on a longer-term
footing.
The Task and Finish Group will provide the space to develop further options to build
resilience in the canal’s capacity and identify how any capital works and ongoing costs
of the water supplied will be met.
Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: “This is a significant investment from the Welsh
Government, and shows their commitment to protecting the Monmouthshire and
Brecon Canal.
Establishing the Task and Finish Group is a welcome step to finding a long-term,
sustainable solution to the canal’s water supply, and I look forward to working with the
Group in supporting these efforts.
I also pay tribute to the tireless campaigning of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Group who
do so much for the Mon & Brec.”
Lynne Neagle MS said: ”I am absolutely delighted the Welsh Government has come
forward with the £5m funding to upgrade the pumping station that is supporting the
temporary agreement to provide water for the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal.
It was clear at the recent Senedd debate on the petition calling for action to preserve the
225-year old canal that there is huge public support for the canal. The Bridge 46 to Five
Locks Canal Group have worked hard to raise awareness of the water supply issues the
canal is facing.
I am really pleased Welsh Government has restated its commitment to working with key
stakeholders to take forward further discussions on sustainable solutions for the canal
through the establishment of a Task and Finish Group that will build on the positive
discussions to date. We all want the canal to prosper. We need to find a sustainable way
forward.”
Cllr Anthony Hunt said: “This has been a real team effort, with all of us working
alongside councillors and community groups who care about the canal.
Thank you to Huw Irranca-Davies for listening to our case about how important the
canal is. We’ve made progress, now we’ll continue to work hard in that spirit to secure a
brighter future for the Mon & Brecon Canal.”
