Will the canal re-open ? 

The `news` so far ...

A partnership has been set up by Torfaen County Borough  Council, Newport Council, Caerphilly Council, British Waterways, and Monmouthshire Brecon and Abergavenny  Canal Trust, to bid for a �25 million Lottery grant, which, if successful would provide 75% of funding for the restoration of  the 9.5 klm section, from Five locks, Pontnewydd down to Newport and the 12.5 klm section from Newport to Cwmcarn, Caerphilly.

.. The aim of the `partnership` and criteria of the `Living Landmark` Programme encourages community involvement .. 

The �25 million, `first prize` in the Big Lottery Fund's `Living Landmark` Programme, has attracted numerous projects throughout the country.

In August 2006, the `Partnership` were informed they were successful in their Stage 1 submission and were one of twenty three projects through to Stage 2.

By successfully reaching Stage 2, the `partnership` were awarded �250,000 to enable a `project plan` to be drawn up. The `partnership` will be informed if they are successful in their bid at the final Stage, during Autumn 2007.

November 2007: Unfortunately the `project` did not make it to the `winners enclosure` which is very disappointing  and therefore the necessary funding will have to sourced elsewhere ....

.. Fingers crossed ..