Welsh Waterways
CANAL MANIA
The Glamorganshire Canal was one of the earliest of the waterways built in the canal mania period of the 1790s and early 1800s. Others in Wales included the Montogomery and Llangollen Canals in the north, connected and linked to the English canal network, the Swansea Canal and the Neath and Tennant Canals. The Monmouthshire Canal was eventually linked to the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal, giving the latter access to the Bristol Channel.
The Aberdare Canal joined the Glamorganshire Canal at Abercynon while, at Glyntaff, the Doctors Canal ran to the canal at Dynea.
All these canals were eventually overtaken by the mid-19th century railway boom and eventually were closed to commercial traffic.
The Aberdare Canal joined the Glamorganshire Canal at Abercynon while, at Glyntaff, the Doctors Canal ran to the canal at Dynea.
All these canals were eventually overtaken by the mid-19th century railway boom and eventually were closed to commercial traffic.
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Revival !
Canals throughout Wales have benefited from the pioneering work of the 1950s and later. At the heart of much of the restoration work are the national organisations - The Canal and River Trust, which owns a large part of the canal network, the Inland Waterways Association with its Waterways Recovery Group and many individual canal trusts and societies . The Montgomery Canal at Welshpool runs alongside the town museum and a Morrisons supermarket. Work to complete the restoration of this canal continues. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is a success story with the upper section well-used by leisure craft and with plans to restore the Crumlin Arm well under way. The Fourteen Locks Centre at Rogerstone is a superb facility which celebrates the history and restoration of this canal. Major plans have been made to restore the canal at Cwmbran and to provide marinas there and at a new connection to the Bristol Channel at Newport. Work continues on restoration and expansion of the Swansea and Neath and Tennant Canals. One little-know waterway in Cardiff is the former Junction Canal which connected the West and East Bute Docks. This was restored and extended as a part of the major development at Atlantic Wharf. It is a short but impressive urban canal, which carries River Taff water from the Dock Feeder to the former East Bute Dock. The remnants of the Glamorganshire Canal are limited but of great significance. At Forest Farm, Whitchurch the canal and locks form the basis of a splendid nature reserve. The unique and historic Melingriffith Water Pump, which was an essential feature for recycling water used at the Melingriffith Tin Plate Works, is located just south of Forest Farm. Restoration of the pump was completed in late 2010. The Aberdare Canal at Canal Head, near the town centre, has been preserved and as a local amenity. The historic Canal Head House is still used as a residence. The Nantgarw the China Works Trust has for some years included in it programme the restoration of the short length of the canal which extends each side of the buildings. It intends, in the long term, to rewater the canal and to provide a canal boat. The vision for Pontypridd is the restoration of the remnant of the canal as another part of the celebration of Welsh canal culture. It may be small in length but its canal-side features and its industrial history mark it out as a remarkable item of heritage. It has great potential for walkers, as a haven for wildlife and even - perhaps - as a waterway on which demonstration boat events could be held marking the contribution the canal has made to industry and the life of the community. There are major challenges - funding - improving water sources - and the will to get it done - but these are not insurmountable. Is Pontypridd big enough to realize this dream? Only time will tell. |
 Montgomery Canal at Morrisons, Welshpool Lock at Forest FarmThe future restored Glamorganshire Canal at Ynysangharad
Image used with the permission of Harry Arnold - Waterway Images
This image shows a trip boat in the narrow section of the Caldon Canal at Froghall. The length of the Glamorganshire Canal south of the Ynysangharad Basin will be similar in width and aspect to this narrow section.
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