Latest news with #CanalandRiverTrust
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth Senedd member praises improvements to canal
Peter Fox has specifically highlighted the access improvements to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Gilwern. The improvements will allow visitors to have better access over the summer period. There have also been upgrades to the picnic area, making it accessible for wheelchair users. The improvements are part of the 225th anniversary of the canal. The canal has been previously highlighted in the news due to concerns over its sustainability, following restrictions on water abstraction from the River Usk. The resource was recently granted an emergency short-term water supply to prevent it from running dry. Mr Fox, a keen advocate for the canal, said: "Any project to improve access is a good news story. "With these works being completed, and us hopefully now seeing an influx of visitors over the summer months, it's more important than ever that a long-term solution is found in supplying the canal with water." He also announced his intent to continue discussions with the Welsh Government, the Canal and River Trust, and other stakeholders to secure the canal's future through a sustainable long-term water supply solution.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Access improvements to canal praised by local Senedd member
A member of the Senedd for Monmouth has praised recent improvements to a canal. Peter Fox has specifically highlighted the access improvements to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Gilwern. The improvements will allow visitors to have better access over the summer period. There have also been upgrades to the picnic area, making it accessible for wheelchair users. The improvements are part of the 225th anniversary of the canal. The canal has been previously highlighted in the news due to concerns over its sustainability, following restrictions on water abstraction from the River Usk. The resource was recently granted an emergency short-term water supply to prevent it from running dry. Mr Fox, a keen advocate for the canal, said: "Any project to improve access is a good news story. "With these works being completed, and us hopefully now seeing an influx of visitors over the summer months, it's more important than ever that a long-term solution is found in supplying the canal with water." He also announced his intent to continue discussions with the Welsh Government, the Canal and River Trust, and other stakeholders to secure the canal's future through a sustainable long-term water supply solution.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fears canal running dry would 'devastate' villages
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. Fears 19th Century canal could start to run dry in days Emergency water supply for at-risk canal costing £100k a week Sewage leaks catastrophic, say campaigners 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". Water bosses could now face jail for cover-ups Warning new bridge could contaminate drinking water Water firms admit sewage monitoring damaging public trust
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal running dry 'would devastate' communities
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 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 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 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".
Reuters
16-04-2025
- General
- Reuters
Britain's boaters say water-dwelling is becoming unaffordable
LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - The roughly 35,000 people for whom the waterways of England and Wales are home are worried that what has long been a low-cost alternative to living on solid ground is being made unaffordable by government spending cuts and inflation. Especially in London, the waterways managed by the Canal and River Trust have been a refuge for those priced out of the capital's bricks and mortar property market. Increasingly, however, the trust, which operates as a charity, has been passing on costs after the government reduced its funding. Emma Chonofsky, who lives on a narrowboat about 30 miles (48 km) northwest of London, said the licence she needs from the trust last year increased to over 1,200 pounds ($1,587) from around 900 pounds annually, a rise of 33%, with further increases scheduled until 2026. "My budget has completely gone out the window," she said, also citing increases in the cost of the coal, diesel and other products she needs to keep her boat "Ethel the Unready" running. Permanent moorings for those who live on the roughly 2,000 miles of waterways managed by the trust are costly and in short supply. Chonofsky is therefore one of around 7,000 boaters classed as a "continuous cruiser", meaning she must move her boat every 14 days. While a cheaper option than a permanent mooring, her new licence includes a new surcharge for continuous cruising, which she says amounts to a public service. "We report damage, we use the locks, we keep things running. If we disappear, it'll be a huge loss - culturally and practically," Chonofsky said. FUNDING CUTS In 2023, the government said it would reduce the Canal and River Trust's core annual funding from 52.6 million pounds to 31.5 million pounds by 2027. The trust said this would leave a shortfall of around 300 million pounds over the next decade. "The cost of materials, labour and infrastructure work is rising, and our government grant is being reduced," Matthew Symonds, the charity's head of boating said. The trust said boaters were not being asked to bear the full cost of its funding shortfall and that it wanted to preserve access, while keeping ageing waterways safe and functional. "Our goal is to make sure they're around for generations to come - and that means everyone has to contribute a little more to keep them afloat," Symonds said. Edward Crann, 31, a freelance creative consultant, said he bought his 58-foot (18 m) steel narrowboat during the pandemic for 39,000 pounds after years of renting on land. "I just wanted somewhere I could put my stamp on. Owning bricks and mortar wasn't an option," he said. Crann said the higher fees would prove unaffordable for some. "There are people on the water scraping by. If fees go up and moorings get privatised, they won't make it. You risk erasing an entire community," he said. ($1 = 0.7561 pounds)
