The Shropshire Union Canal Society’s latest work party has marked significant progress on channel and towpath restoration, as well as the launch of this winter’s environmental programme. Works scheduled through to March 2026 are being supported by a grant from the Shared Prosperity Fund, enabling vital channel restoration, towpath upgrades and ecological improvements along the Montgomery Canal.

Towpath Restoration Underway Between Schoolhouse Bridge and Malthouse Bridge

This month saw the start of towpath restoration between Schoolhouse Bridge (Bridge 86) and Malthouse Bridge (Bridge 87), alongside continued preparation of the channel for winter works.

“The distance between Schoolhouse Bridge and Malthouse Bridge is 340 metres. In the absence of a haul road alongside the canal, the channel will be used for plant access to deliver materials. Two hundred and fifty metres of the channel were previously cleared last winter, and time was spent this time clearing the remainder of overhanging branches, saplings and small trees to permit dumper and digger access. Passage through to Waen Wen was also enabled by the removal of a redundant (but very solid!) headwall at Malthouse Bridge,” said Restoration Project Manager, Tom Fulda.

Preparatory work included removing tree roots and stumps from the bank and towpath line, and cutting back the heavily overgrown hedge to its former boundary. A special thanks goes to Josh, a young volunteer newly qualified in safe hedge-trimmer operation, for his contribution.

The towpath is being constructed to the Society’s standard specification of 1.2 metres wide, using compacted aggregate between timber boards. This month, 60 metres of new towpath were completed from Malthouse Bridge towards the work compound at Schoolhouse Bridge. With preparation now complete, progress is expected to accelerate over the coming weeks.

Environmental Programme Makes Strong Start

This winter’s environmental work — comprising hedge laying and planting — began near the compound, working back towards last year’s completed section near Crickheath. The effort received a substantial boost from five corporate volunteers from Aico (Oswestry), who spent Friday clearing and preparing the hedge line for pleaching.

The Society extends its thanks to the Aico team for their hard work and enthusiasm, with more volunteers already expected at the next work party.

Preparations at Waen Wen for Winter Tree Works

At Waen Wen, final groundwork was completed for the winter tree-felling programme. Contractors will remove trees that have grown since the canal was drained decades ago, focusing on those located at or below the future water level.

Additional work included burning previously cut brash, removing redundant drainpipes and a brick inspection chamber that once carried surface water to Crickheath, and constructing access ramps — including one over the culvert beneath the basin — to support machinery access during felling, clearance and site investigations.

Shropshire Council Leaders Visit Canal Restoration Works

The Society was pleased to welcome Shropshire Council Leader, Cllr Heather Kidd, and other senior councillors to the site on Friday. The group toured previously restored sections as well as current work areas.

Cllr Kidd expressed her thanks to the organisers and volunteers, noting that the visit had deepened the council’s understanding of the scope of restoration efforts and the canal’s potential contribution to connectivity, health and wellbeing, and economic priorities for Shropshire.

Picture credit: Shropshire Union Canal Society.