Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has asked the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs for a viable solution to secure and protect the future of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
The Canal is reliant upon Water abstracted from the River Usk, with 80% of water needed to feed the canal provided by the river, but new conditions attached to water abstraction licences have meant the Canal & River Trust are now required to limit abstraction from the River Usk, posing a serious risk to the future viability of the canal.
The trust are now facing a choice between having to pay enormous costs of £1m or more, for a water supply that has been free for over two centuries, or severely restrict the use of the canal.
Peter Fox, Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport & Rural Affairs, has said:
“I have been contacted by several constituents and groups regarding the ongoing situation with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.”
“It is concerning to see that the future of this waterway is under-threat, especially considering it is one of the most picturesque waterways in the UK, attracting millions of visitors per year, and contributing significantly to the economy, people and communities in South East Wales.”
“The water is only borrowed from the River Usk by the canal, as it flows back into the River at Newport. I think it is therefore pointless to impose restrictions on the amount of water than can be abstracted, whilst also potentially hitting a charity with costs of over £1m.”
“I have asked the Cabinet Secretary for a solution on what can be done to protect and preserve the future of the canal, and I hope this can be sorted as soon as possible.”
