June 31st 2005
Sunday 9.00a.m .... I set off to walk from the Cwmbran Tunnel (Cadw Grade II listed) to Ty-Coch (Hollybush Way). The towpath is also a cycle-way ( Route 46 )
.. Weather conditions:- overcast - no wind ..
.. CwmbranTunnel to Five Locks Road ..
My observations :-
Two grey squirrels scurrying from branch to branch - avoiding being photographed !!
Steps down to Tunnel, untidy due to weeds.( Possible safety hazard ?)
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
Some Litter throughout section- plastic bottles, beer cans, plastic bags, a child's jacket.
2 Mallard Ducks.
1 Moorhen.
3 Litterbins - all being used.
Overall fair.
.. Five Locks Moorings ..
The Moorings were created to allow visiting `pleasure boats` to tie up safely and hopefully take pleasure from their visit to the farthest navigable point (South) on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
My observations :-
Grandfather and grandson fishing.
Both Litterbins being used, although litter evident in places.
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
Weeds invading `steps` to Moorings. (See Photo)
Some brambles overhanging perimeter fence to footpath - require cutting back.
Damaged section of wire panel of perimeter fence. (See Photo) Update: Now repaired.
Overall fair.
.. Five Locks Road to Mount Pleasant Road ..
My observations :-
Two discarded supermarket trolleys .
Broken branch in front of canal culvert.
Lengths of sawn Tree trunk (Adjacent Cross Keys Public House) in the water. Update: Now removed.
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
4 Litter Bins (all being used). Two bins full.
Adjacent footbridge into Park - Cans, bottles and litter in the canal.
Some Dog faeces on grass verge.
20 Mallard Ducks.
1 Moorhen nesting.
2 Moorhens and 2 chicks.
Brambles require cutting back due to encroachment on to steps of pathway, leading down to recreational field. (Safety issue)
Damaged section of canal wall due to tree root infiltration. (See Photo)
Adjacent Park up to footbridge, large areas covered by green Algae and abundance of Litter. (See Photo)
Ponds and Cascades - 2 Litter Bins - some litter.
Uprooted and discarded shrubs in canal cascades ..... sheer vandalism !!!
5 newly planted saplings snapped off. ..... sheer vandalism !!! (See Photo)
Overall poor.
.. Mount Pleasant Road to Maendy Way ..
My observations :-
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
2 Litter Bins. ( being used ) .
1 Litter Bin ( Vandalised, Burnt out ), as noted audit of May 29th.
Several `Goldfish`.
Broken Tree branch in section.
Litter in the Lock
4 Mallard Ducks.
Several areas algae prevalent.
2 Moorhens and 4 chicks.
Littered.
Overall fair.
.. Maendy Way to Greenforge Way ..
My observations :-
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
No Litter Bins throughout section.
Littered adjacent `Lower Bridge End` Pub.
One discarded Asda supermarket Trolley.
2 Moorhens and 5 chicks.
Buddleia (Butterfly) Bushes still in full flower.
Overall Quite Good.
.. Lockgate Retail Park ..
Just two weeks after a Canal Awareness Day was held (16th July), hosted by Torfaen County Borough Council together with the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust, once again the section is heavily littered and has become an `eyesore` ...... any visitor to the retail park who looked over the wall from the car park would be left with a very negative `First impression` (See Photo)
Grass verge trimmed - T.B.C
No Litter Bins.
Water Lillys.
1 Moorhen
Some litter at Debris Trap (End of section).
3 `Pets at Home` storage boxes.
Several Shopping Trolleys, 3 identified as B&Q`- Litter, cans and bottles- Publicity balloons from `HARVEYS`, an advertisement plaque from `BRANTANO`. (See Photo)
Overall Very Poor !
.. Star Street to Bellevue Road ..
My observations :-
Green Algae and some litter before Broadweir bridge.
4 Moorhens and their chicks.
4 Mallards.
No Litter Bins.
Green Algae and some litter from Broadweir bridge to Bellevue Road.
12 Mallard Ducks
2 Moorhens
Overall Fair
.. Henllys Way to Two Locks Road ..
My observations :-
One Litter bin - Full.
Numerous Mallard ducks
2 Moorhens.
Green Algae prevalent throughout section.
Some litter at Two Locks Road Section.
Overall Very Good.
.. Two Locks Road to Hollybush Way ..
My observations :-
Stone Steps of gradient `Lock` damaged. (See Photo) As reported in the January 16th 2005 Audit.
Large areas covered in green Algae.
Numerous Mallard ducks.
Several Moorhens, including chicks.
2 Benches.
2 Litter Bins - 1 now vandalised and only the frame remaining !.
Sign depicting `Hanson Brickworks` defaced. (See Photo) Reported to T.B.Council, Graffiti then removed. UPDATE: Now defaced again !!! (I suggest moving it to a more conspicuous position)
Overall Very Clean.
Summing Up
"I believe dog owners should have their dogs on leads, to safeguard any potential `Mishaps` with cyclists, other dogs, etc; and be prepared to `clean up their Doggy Mess` ". ( I have witnessed some positive evidence of this)
.. Anne and her `faithful friend` Darcy - a cavalier King Charles, spaniel ..
I met Ann from Cwmbran at the start of this months `Canal Watch` her dog Darcy had fouled on the grass verge and immediately she reached for her `Pooper Scooper` and carrier bag to remove the faeces. Although having a disability, Ann believes that all dog owners who exercise their `faithful friends` should be responsible and carry the `means` to remove any `doggy mishaps`. The bagged faeces can be deposited in the litter bins situated at various points along the tow path.
Ann expressed a personal concern, that she has experienced difficulty in maneuvering around horse droppings that sometimes litter the towpath
.. Something to consider ?? Horse riders ..
"I also believe that we, in Cwmbran, are fortunate in having a watercourse that once played a major part in our industrial heritage, and with the correct management, social respect and environmental awareness, the canal can bring immense pleasure to us all as a leisure amenity - Boating, Fishing, Walking, Cycling etc." .
" However, it saddens me, that the actions of some selfish and ignorant individuals from our home town of Cwmbran go out of their way to spoil this `Enviable Asset` by littering the waterway/ towpath and also several willful acts of vandalism ".
If you have any views on this matter please email me
.. To visit The Monmouthshire Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust click here ..
Click here to read about the `GREEN TEAM ` of 1993
Click here for info. on the Monmouthshire canal
