Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal running dry 'would devastate' communities

BBC News

26-04-2025

Residents in villages near a 19th Century canal under threat of running dry fear a lack of water supply would devastate communities. Last month, operators warned Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal could run dry in days after limits were placed on taking water from the environmentally sensitive River Usk.Money earmarked for repairs has since been used to buy an emergency water supply from Welsh Water by the Canal and River Trust, but businesses, visitors and boat owners said a permanent solution was needed. One pub owner called the uncertainty "insane" adding they expected to lose about 50% in customer fallout if the canal ran dry.
The Welsh government said it recognised the value of the canal but any arrangement between the Canal and River Trust, and Welsh Water would be a "commercial decision" in which it should play no role.
More than 13,000 people have so far signed a petition to help save the canal, which is about 35 miles (56km) long and runs from the north of Newport to Brecon, through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons.Under new restrictions to protect rivers due to climate change, legislation means licences were now required to limit the amount of water that could be taken from the River Usk.But some people in communities in the surrounding areas have said limiting water supply to the canal should be a last resort. Meghan Spence, 36, and Jak Arnott-Job, 41, run the canalside Coach and Horses pub in Llangynidr, which was founded in 1801. Originally from South Africa, the couple moved to Brecon about a year ago and said a dry canal would be "detrimental" to the area as there would be "nothing"."It's heritage, it's everything to people here, but not just here, it's people from overseas, outlying areas which aren't as beautiful as this, people come here to just de-stress. "It's scary because we have only been here for a year, but we have seen the benefit it has had on the community, on those who need it," he said. Mr Arnott-Job described the whole situation as mind-boggling, adding: "People have homes and businesses all over the canal that function only with the canal and its why they come here."The pair said they were very grateful for the temporary measures put in place but could not understand who allowed it to happen, describing it as insane.
"There are water voles, otters, kingfishers on the canal, and the boaters live on the river," Mr Arnott-Job said, adding "they live here it's their home"."If the canal died, 30% of our traffic would end, fallout from that would be 50% and we would just be relying on the locals, we would stay for that but it would not be the same."The pair said they get visitors from all over the world and the government was "cowardly" for not intervening. "You talk about increasing the language of Wales, wanting people to speak it more and more, but you're destroying the ground of it," he added.
Concern was rife for those living on narrow boats on the canal too. Steve and Angela Hale have lived on the canal for nearly nine years and said they wanted more clarity beyond the next 12 months."It's not nice being in limbo, we have lost a lot of sleep over it. You're just left in shock and feel helpless," said Ms Hale. "We're here because we genuinely love the canal. There is a lot of anxiety about this."
"Once these claybanks dry, there will be no recovery, it's irreplaceable," added Mr Hale. "Instead of just funding more water supply, Welsh government could help by finding alternate solutions."The couple said spending would be better put towards repairing leaks along the River Usk or implementing structures to source water from alternate reservoirs. "I think everyone just needs to work together to find a viable solution," they added.
Penelope Jane Phillips, who runs Penelope Cafe in Goytre Wharf, Llanover, said it was a worrying time for everyone on the Wharf, which had more than 200 years of history. She said there was speculation of trouble with water levels in 2024 but nothing was done. "It's really worrying," said Ms Phillips."You always think ahead, I have to think of my business. It would be dead without water flow, it would be horrible. "It's dreadful, who would want to look at a boat or buy a boat without flow."
Visitors at the cafe, Patricia Webb and Debbie Harvey, from Raglan, said the matter was much bigger than a commercial one and called for Welsh government intervention. Ms Webb said she used the canal to help her mental health, while Ms Harvey described the canal as "heavenly". "It's so beautiful. And the walk is good for your health but it's the social aspect, the dogs, the school trips here, it's all lovely."
Natalie, 49, is a waitress at the Walnut Tree cafe in Llangynidr and said she was divided as one of those who used to test the River Usk."They need to support the river, the river is in trouble with its biodiversity, but there has got to be limits," she said. "It shouldn't be at the expense of everybody and the wildlife supported along the canal."
The Welsh government said: "Protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources is key to addressing the climate and nature emergencies. "We recognise that Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the Canal and River Trust have successfully reached an agreement on a short-term solution to the ongoing issue, and are continuing their discussions."It added while the government was not involved in commercial negotiations, it "understands the value" of the canal and was keen to see positive progress in finding solutions. Richard Parry, Canal and River Trust chief executive, said the pressure remained to "urgently" find a long-term viable solution to protect the canal. In a statement, he called upon the Welsh government to help secure a more sustainable future, as "it isn't sustainable for a charity to shoulder the full financial burden of this new legislative requirement".