Peter Fox Pushes for Joint Effort to Protect Canal Future

Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has called for a collaborative approach to find a solution for the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

During questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs on Wednesday, Mr Fox took the opportunity to highlight the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was an environmental and economic asset for Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Powys and the whole of Wales.

The Monmouth MS stated a sustainable, long-term solution is needed to provide certainty for businesses, but if an agreement cannot be met promptly, then discussions are needed by Welsh Government to ensure further contingency plans are in place.

Responding to Peter Fox, the Cabinet Secretary, Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed a multi-agency approach involving numerous organisations is underway to develop long-term engineering and funding solutions.

He warned however that any solution will be expensive, and will require joint effort and shared responsibility from all. The Cabinet Secretary confirmed some options have been identified, but further refinement and agreement on funding is needed.

Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has said:

“I am pleased to hear that some positive news has come out of the recent task and finish group looking at long-term solutions for this vital asset.

“We need this long-term solution, and it has to be delivered as quickly as possible in order to provide certainty to businesses and other users of the canal.

“It’s great to hear that solutions are being worked upon, but I took the opportunity whilst speaking to the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that a contingency plan is also being looked at, should there be issues along the way.

“I hope the solution will be found shortly, and I will continue working towards this to deliver the certainty the canal and its users deserve.”