GREAT PROGRESS IS being made on restoring the Montgomery Canal for communities, wildlife and heritage.
With this year's Montgomery Canal Forum, being held at the Oswestry premises of Aico at Maesbury Road, Oswestry SY10 8NR at 2pm on Friday 8th May 2026.
Will review developments
The forum will review current developments on the Montgomery Canal where great progress is being made in Shropshire and across the border in Powys.
In Shropshire volunteers—including some from Aico—are restoring a section of canal which has been dry and derelict for 80 years extending the navigable canal from the present terminus at Crickheath, opened three years ago. They have almost reached the new Schoolhouse Bridge and have been preparing the channel through the bridge and on towards Waen Wen Basin, which promises to be one of the most attractive places on the canal.
Jason Leach, Head of Externally Funded Operations for the Canal & River Trust (which owns the canal) will report on the continuing levelling-up programme funded by the UK Government. Works in this project include a new nature reserve completed last year and another to start this summer, both a vital investment to safeguard the canal’s legally-protected rare underwater and emergent vegetation.
Long over-due replacement
Other elements of the project include a new highway bridge due for completion this summer and the long-overdue replacement for the infamous Williams Bridge, the latest bridge blockage on the canal which was the subject of a vigorous campaign in 1980.
The forum will also hear about work on historic structures along the canal and plans for the restoration of the canal’s biggest structure, the aqueduct across the Vyrnwy.
Michael Limbrey, Chairman of the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, explained:
“This leading restoration project is creating a corridor of opportunity for the community, valued and used by all, a navigation that respects, values and enhances the unique nature of the canal.”
“We are very excited about all that the revived Montgomery Canal can mean to the borderland area. The canal is not just for boaters or towpath users but offers a full range of environmental, social and economic benefits for the communities of Powys and Shropshire.”
Image shows Schoolhouse Bridge completely restored.
From across Britain and abroad
He added that visitors and supporters come from across Britain and abroad, joining events, volunteering, or donating to support further restoration.
The Montgomery Canal’s 35 miles cross-border route is recognised for its valued wildlife heritage and it has one of the best collections of workaday historic canal structures. As well as these, the restoration strategy highlights opportunities for recreation and the visitor economy.
There will be an opportunity at the forum to discuss any issue concerning the canal’s future and its contribution to the area.
The Montgomery Canal Forum is a public meeting to which all are invited.