22 July 2025
Welsh Government signals a commitment to safeguard the future of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
As reported in April, British Marine has been actively supporting the Canal and River Trust over recent months in seeking Government support to find an affordable long-term solution to maintain the much loved Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. This follows recent legislative changes in regard to water abstraction licenses which, whilst designed to protect the River Usk, impede the ability of Trust to maintain sufficient water supply to the canal.
In March, Lesley Robinson called on the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, to engage with Welsh Water and the Trust to find an affordable long-term solution that will maintain future navigation along the canal and the many benefits this brings, not least its economic contribution which the Monmouthshire & Brecon Operators Group estimate to be in the region of £26.5m per annum. The Minister replied to say he was investigating the matter and earlier this month (10 July) he brought together Welsh Water, the Trust, and Natural Resources Wales along with local authorities that border the canal to consider all options.
Following that meeting he issued a Written Statement announcing that he will establish a Task & Finish Group to develop options that will build resilience in the canal’s capacity and to identify how costs will be met. In addition the Minister has committed to prioritise up to £5m capital funding to upgrade a pumping station that is supporting a current temporary agreement that is enabling navigation to be maintained this season.
In the meantime British Marine remains in close discussions with the Trust about the Mon and Brec and other challenges facing its network. It is also pressing the Environment Agency to significantly improve its approach to navigation and the maintenance of associated infrastructure on the River Thames and has recently secured a meeting next month with Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency.
As a member of the Fund Britain’s Waterways steering group British Marine has been heartened by the growing public support for the coalition and its wider campaign to safeguard the future of Britain’s inland waterways.
Public support has been best demonstrated by the interest and warmth generated by FBW’s 2025 four month long campaign cruise. This has not only seen vessels travelling around 300 miles to take the message once again to Westminster but it has progressed onwards crossing the Wash and now on route to Anglian Waterways, where it will meet with a local MP and be joined by local British Marine members.
For a full update on FBW’s recent progress visit: https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FBW-Update-July-2025.pdf