Newport Council, along with partners Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust, has been undertaking a series of works designed to improve the sections of the canal within the Newport boundary.
A major aspect of the improvement work has been clearing silt and vegetation from the canal bed from the Fourteen Locks site up to the Harry Roberts bridge.
Some relining work has also taken place in this section, with further relining work planned between Fourteen Locks and Ruskin Avenue.
The desilting and relining will improve water flow and retention, as well as improving the water environment for biodiversity purposes.
A new set of metal lock gates have been installed at Lock 21. This is to replace older gates, which will again improve water retention, and are designed to last for more than 100 years.
Other work that we have recently carried out includes:
- Bunding work, which helped us identify leaking sections of the canal bed.
- Surveys and feasibility studies for a new visitor centre at Fourteen Locks
- Access improvements around the current visitor centre, including installing two new active travel bridges into the centre
- Preparatory work for desilting and relining the pond at Fourteen Locks
- Securing funding and planning approvals for a new active travel bridge at Gwastad Lock
- Improvements to crossing points at Ruskin Avenue, Cwm Lane and Pontymason Lane
- A new ramp off Cwm Lane to the canal towpath
More work is planned along the canal in future months, including the work to install the active travel bridge at Gwastad Lock, work on the pond at the Fourteen Locks visitor centre, a new head wall at Ruskin Avenue, and further vegetation clearing from the canal along the section from the M4 underpass, through Malpas.
“I’m pleased to be able to share an update about this work which will bring great benefit to the canal sections in Newport for many years to come,” said Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity.
“Investing in our green spaces is a vital part of meeting our ambitions to build a greener, fairer Newport for all, from a climate change perspective and also ensuring residents have access to good recreational spaces.
“The canal is an important site within the local community, and this important work will help safeguard the site for future generations.”
