.. Canal Watch Update November 2006 ..
Wednesday November 15th 2006
I arranged to meet Stewart Davies (Land and Drainage Officer -Torfaen County Borough Council) at the Five Locks Moorings (Pontnewydd) at 2.30 p.m. ; the weather conditions were overcast with imminent rain; our mission, once again, to walk, discuss and inspect, the sections of the canal which meanders through Cwmbran (Cwmbran Tunnel to Ty Coch Way).
Our observations:-
Cwmbran Tunnel to Five Locks Moorings
Minimal litter.
Cover plate missing from `water` stand pipe, lagging required to mains water pipe. Update: Awaiting maintenance schedule.
Both `Steel Litter Bins` in use.
Some Duckweed throughout section.
Several Mallard Ducks and Moorhens along the section .
Five Locks Moorings
Both Litterbins in use.
The Moorings, litter free.
Pruning required on inside perimeter shrubbery - Planned for Winter schedule.
A piece of timber needs removing from the sump hole.
Duckweed prevalent.
A couple of Mallard ducks.
Five Locks to Pontnewydd Cascades
Bollard missing from towpath.
Vandalism 
Heavy infiltration of weed in lock at start of section (adjacent to Cross Keys pub). Update: Now removed
Litter bins along section being used. - One required emptying.
Discarded plastic sacks, tent and a Plastic bin in the canal section.
Pruning and `over growth` clearing `, adjacent Pontnewydd park, aim to start in December.
Several Mallard Ducks and Moorhens.
Some Duckweed throughout section.
*The Canal Warden has been busy this month pruning overhanging branches, coppicing a few smaller trees and selectively cutting down other young trees/saplings that, if let to grow would have damaged the stonework in years to come.
Pontnewydd Cascades to Maendy Way
Plastic Litterbin previously vandalised - destroyed by fire
Some Duckweed present.
Tree branch in the canal.
- One Supermarket Trolley in the canal.
Several Mallards and Moorhens.
Maendy Way to Cwmbran Retail Park
One Asda Supermarket Trolley in the canal.
Collection of rubbish, including a television, in the Lock. Update: Still awaiting removal
N.b Stewart's Team have great difficulty removing rubbish from any of the Locks, due to `Safety concerns`
Minimal Litter along main section..
Several Mallards and Moorhens.
Pondweed prevalent.
Cwmbran Retail Park
Positive News
Torfaen County Borough Council's newly appointed Canal Warden along with a representative from `Keep Wales Tidy`, together with persons from the Communities Against Drugs Campaign and pupils from The Learning Zone (Upper Cwmbran) have joined together for several planned `work days` along this section; their aim is to remove litter, prune trees, shrubs and vegetation.
Star Street to Henllys Way
- Several flower pots discarded in the canal.
Some litter.
One shopping trolley discarded
in the canal.
A litterbin installed on a nearby Lamp post being used.
`Steel` Litterbin on towpath in use.
Several Mallard ducks and Moorhens.
Duckweed prevalent.
Henllys Way to Two Locks
Litter at Two Locks end of section.
Plastic litterbin previously destroyed by fire, removed and request made for replacement made of steel. Update: Awaiting decision.
Some Duckweed present.
Steel Litterbin in use.
N.b Suggestion made to acquire another steel litterbin, to be cited adjacent road bridge and towpath. Update: Awaiting decision.
Two Locks to Ty Coch
Light litter at start of section.
Litterbins in use.
Tyre in canal.
Duckweed prevalent.
Several Mallards and Moorhens.
Negative
Elements
Various `pockets` of litter throughout canal sections.
2 Shopping Trolleys, in the canal .
People walking and cycling ..... enjoying our industrial heritage and recreational asset.
All litterbins in use.
Selective pruning and coppicing along the Five Locks section - Preventive maintenance.
`Clean Up` project at the Cwmbran Retail Park canal section.
All Litterbins in use.
... Each day
WE have a Choice ...... We can choose to work ..
With the Environment ...Or
... We can choose to work .. Against the Environment ...
... Let Our Choice Today ...
... be an Action for a Better Tomorrow ...
Our Future ...
... In Our Hands.
..
Be sure to look out for the December instalment of Canal Watch 2006 ..