Cwmbran is blessed with an enviable asset .... a section of the Monmouthshire Canal, itself now part of the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal system.
Visit the Trust website at www.mon-brec-canal-trust.org.uk
.. CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFO ..
* Canal Watch2005 * Will you Help? * Views * Canal Seat sculptures *
The Monmouthshire Canal was granted it's Act in 1792 and by 1796, eleven miles from Pontnewynydd to Newport were complete.The Eleven mile Crumlin Arm from Crindau Junction to Crumlin was opened by 1799.
... The canal engineer was Thomas Dadford (jnr) ...
The canal was built to carry coal and iron to Newport and it led to a rapid expansion of the town and the riverside wharfs.
Tram roads were feeders to the Canal, from the more mountainous areas such as Blaenafon but became direct routes to Newport in the Western valley.
Tramroads gradually became more important than the Canal and by 1848 the company had become the Monmouthshire Railway and canal company. It bought out the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal in 1865 and by the time the GWR took over the day to day running in 1875 the Canal was of little commercial importance except for the supply of water to Newport Docks.
Bridge 47- Solomons Bridge- is the southern limit of British Waterways ownership. The remainder (as it is now known) of the Monmouthshire Canal is now owned by Torfaen Borough Council and Newport City Borough Council.
The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal received its Act in 1793.
It was open from Gilwern to Brecon by the end of 1800 and to Govilon by 1804 but not until 1812 did it finally join the Monmouthshire Canal at Pontymoile near Pontypool and so provide a through route to Newport and its river wharfs.
A short length in Brecon is lost under the road but the rest of the B & A is navigable for 33miles and with its peace and glorious views is a real gem.
Tram roads were feeders to the Canal rather than a competitor but the loss of the iron trade to more coastal works and the coal trade to the railways led to the inevitable decline and most traffic had ceased by 1930.
In the late 1950s the leisure potential was realised. a weekly hire firm started in 1961 though rowing boats and canoes had been used since the early 1800s. Now there are over 400 privately owned boats and over 40 hire boats operating on that stretch of Canal from Brecon to Pontnewydd.
Known locally as the LONG TUNNEL- it is situated between Five Locks Road, Pontnewydd (450 metres north-Grid reference 328750 197350) and Bevan's Bridge in Sebastopol, on the Monmouthshire Canal. The Tunnel is listed by Cadw as Grade II ; 30th August 2000.
The Tunnel is 260 feet long
Minimum height above water level 7ft 9ins.
Minimum width at water level 10ft 4 ins.
... The Tunnel has no towpath so the horses went over the top and the bargees had to walk the barges through the tunnel by lying down and propelling the barge through with foot power against the side walls ...
Brian and Wynne Gray from Llansadwrn, near Llandovery, aboard their pleasure craft `Viking` enjoying their leisure time at the 5 Locks moorings, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran.
.. The 5 locks moorings were opened on the 24th May,1997..
I (webmaster) am a member of the Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canal trust and it's Aims are to actively promote:-
Improvement and Maintenance
- of the navigable canal from Brecon to Five Locks, Pontnewydd.
Sustainable Regeneration
- of the Canal from Five Locks, Pontnewydd to Newport and from Newport and from Newport to Cwmcarn.
Greater Awareness
- of the economic benefit to local communities and businesses through tourism and leisure activities.
Education and Interpretation
- through displays and presentations of the culture and history of the canal and its people.
Angling, boating, cycling, walking and wildlife interests are of equal importance in the use of the Canal corridor and all will be enhanced by the achievement of the Aims.
Visit the Trust website at www.mon-brec-canal-trust.org.uk
Canals Trust Registered Office
95 The Highway
New Inn
Pontypool
Torfaen NP4 0PN
Telephone 01495 762823
The restoration has now entered it's most critical phase. The plan for Newport by the city's regeneration company `Newport Unlimited` was unveiled on the 10th September 2003.
Unfortunately the consultants plan does not give priority to the Canal regeneration through to a new marina in Crindau, although a date for building a marina was suggested as 2015.
.... Do you really want to wait for so long ? ... surely not ! ...
This is where you can help!!!
Please write letters of support for the marina to :-
The Argus, Western Mail, South Wales Echo and Free Press.
Your local councillors ,whether you live in Cwmbran or Newport.
Your M.P or Assembly Member.
Torfaen Council has to put more pressure on Newport City Council as they need the marina as much as Newport does.