The next length of the Montgomery Canal to be restored is seen with the first few inches of water in it as refilling of the completed channel from Crickheath Bridge to Pryces Bridge began on Monday 2 June.
This quarter-mile section is part of a particularly difficult length that always suffered from problems with leakage, so it has been completely rebuilt mainly by the Shropshire Union Canal Society’s volunteers using a combination of concrete blocks, a waterproof membrane, steel piling and stonework.
Although it is hoped that the first trial boats will cruise it soon, this length (and the already rebuilt section from the current limit of navigation at Gronwen Bridge to Redwith) will not be available to normal boating for some time, as there is nowhere to turn at the end. However, subject to the success of a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, it is hoped that restoration can be extended to the turning point and wharf at Crickheath Wharf, and the whole Gronwen to Redwith length reopened.
