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Save our canal! Campaigners worry the future of iconic waterway is under threat

8 1
11.07.2025

Activists afraid for the future of a historic canal have turned to the Welsh Government.

On Wednesday campaigners concerned for future of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal gathered outside the Senedd in protest.

The powerful message ‘if it dries it dies!’ and ‘save the Mon and Brec!’ was chanted to hammer the message home. Simultaneously, a Senedd debate took place.

The risk of the canal drying up has increased due to unusually hot weather and the recent introduction of water licensing rules.

Leading the debate Labour’s Carolyn Thomas said: “The licence from NRW allows a lower level of extraction than has historically been allowed.

“If the licence water restrictions had been in force in the last 20 years, the canal would only have been open for four summers.”

Tracey Leake-Jones, chair of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group outside the Senedd for the Mon and Brec protest (Image: NQ)

Tracey Leake-Jones, chair of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group said:

“The Mon and Brec Canal needs the Welsh Government to step in to ensure that there’s........

© South Wales Argus