Skip to content

Fears canal running dry would 'devastate' villages

Charlie Buckland
BBC News
BBC Photograph of Monmouthshire and Brecon canal in Llangynidir. The canal can be seen in the centre of the photo. Trees and homes line the left hand side while a pavement path can be seen on the right hand side. A boat can be seen travelling down the canal in the distance. BBC
Communities surrounding Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal say they are concerned for the future

Residents in villages near a 19th Century canal under threat of running dry fear a lack of water supply would devastate communities.

Last month, operators warned Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal could run dry in days after limits were placed on taking water from the environmentally sensitive River Usk.

Money earmarked for repairs has since been used to buy an emergency water supply from Welsh Water by the Canal and River Trust, but businesses, visitors and boat owners said a permanent solution was needed.

One pub owner called the uncertainty "insane" adding they expected to lose about 50% in customer fallout if the canal ran dry.

The Welsh government said it recognised the value of the canal but any arrangement between the Canal and River Trust, and Welsh Water would be a "commercial decision" in which it should play no role.

More than 13,000 people have so far signed a petition to help save the canal, which is about 35 miles (56km) long and runs from the north of Newport to Brecon, through the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons.

Under new restrictions to protect rivers due to climate change, legislation means licences were now required to limit the amount of water that could be taken from the River Usk.

But some people in communities in the surrounding areas have said limiting water supply to the canal should be a last resort.

Meghan Spence, 36, and Jak Arnott-Job, 41, run the canalside Coach and Horses pub in Llangynidr, which was founded in 1801.

Originally from South Africa, the couple moved to Brecon about a year ago and said a dry canal would be "detrimental" to the area as there would be "nothing".

"It's heritage, it's everything to people here, but not just here, it's people from overseas, outlying areas which aren't as beautiful as this, people come here to just de-stress.

"It's scary because we have only been here for a year, but we have seen the benefit it has had on the community, on those who need it," he said.

Mr Arnott-Job described the whole situation as mind-boggling, adding: "People have homes and businesses all over the canal that function only with the canal and its why they come here."

The pair said they were very grateful for the temporary measures put in place but could not understand who allowed it to happen, describing it as insane.

Picture of Meghan Spence and Jak Arnott-Job and their scotty dog cwtch. They stand outside their grey pub. They both wear t shirts and have brown hair. They smile at the camera holding their dog.
Pub owners Meghan Spence and Jak Arnott-Job say Llangynidr would be "devastated" without the canal

"There are water voles, otters, kingfishers on the canal, and the boaters live on the river," Mr Arnott-Job said, adding "they live here it's their home".

"If the canal died, 30% of our traffic would end, fallout from that would be 50% and we would just be relying on the locals, we would stay for that but it would not be the same."

The pair said they get visitors from all over the world and the government was "cowardly" for not intervening.

"You talk about increasing the language of Wales, wanting people to speak it more and more, but you're destroying the ground of it," he added.

Coach and horses pub in Llangynidir sits just above the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. The canal is in the foreground of the picture.
The Coach and Horses pub sits on the bank of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Concern was rife for those living on narrow boats on the canal too.

Steve and Angela Hale have lived on the canal for nearly nine years and said they wanted more clarity beyond the next 12 months.

"It's not nice being in limbo, we have lost a lot of sleep over it. You're just left in shock and feel helpless," said Ms Hale.

"We're here because we genuinely love the canal. There is a lot of anxiety about this."

Steve Hale Picture of Steve and Angela Hale on their narrowboat on the canal. Steve stands just behind Angela with one hand on her shoulder. He wears square glasses and has brown hair with silver speckles. Angela (left) has brown hair and looks at the camera with a straight face. The canal is seen behind them with hedges and trees to either side of the photo.Steve Hale
Steve and Angela Hale, who live on the canal in their boat, say they have lost sleep over the situation

"Once these claybanks dry, there will be no recovery, it's irreplaceable," added Mr Hale.

"Instead of just funding more water supply, Welsh government could help by finding alternate solutions."

The couple said spending would be better put towards repairing leaks along the River Usk or implementing structures to source water from alternate reservoirs.

"I think everyone just needs to work together to find a viable solution," they added.

Steve Hale Picture of Angela Hale upon their blue narrowboat on the canal. Angela sits on the egde of the boat, which is docked at the side of the canal. She looks at the camera and has her hand on the edge of the boat. The boat is to the right of the picture with a pathway to the left and a grassy verge.Steve Hale
Angela Hale says the prospect of moving off the canal is a scary one

Penelope Jane Phillips, who runs Penelope Cafe in Goytre Wharf, Llanover, said it was a worrying time for everyone on the Wharf, which had more than 200 years of history.

She said there was speculation of trouble with water levels in 2024 but nothing was done.

"It's really worrying," said Ms Phillips.

"You always think ahead, I have to think of my business. It would be dead without water flow, it would be horrible.

"It's dreadful, who would want to look at a boat or buy a boat without flow."

Penelope Jane Phillips, cafe owner, has blonde hair pulled back in a bobble with a blonde fringe across her forehead. She wears white pearl stud earings and has blue eyes. She stands behind a counter and wears a black apron. There is a blackboard with chalk writing in white and blue behind her.
Cafe owner Penelope Jane Phillips says Goytre Wharf would be "dead" without water flow

Visitors at the cafe, Patricia Webb and Debbie Harvey, from Raglan, said the matter was much bigger than a commercial one and called for Welsh government intervention.

Ms Webb said she used the canal to help her mental health, while Ms Harvey described the canal as "heavenly".

"It's so beautiful. And the walk is good for your health but it's the social aspect, the dogs, the school trips here, it's all lovely."

Photograph of Patricia Webb( left) and Debbie Harvey (right) They both sit on a terrace at a table outside of Penelope's cafe. A small car park and greenery can be seen behind them below. Debbie wears a pink quarter zip fleece and Patricia wears a blue quarter zip fleece. They both have short silver and blonde hair and smile at the camera.
Patricia Webb and Debbie Harvey say the canal has a positive impact on their lives

Natalie, 49, is a waitress at the Walnut Tree cafe in Llangynidr and said she was divided as one of those who used to test the River Usk.

"They need to support the river, the river is in trouble with its biodiversity, but there has got to be limits," she said.

"It shouldn't be at the expense of everybody and the wildlife supported along the canal."

Picture of two women wearing aprons. On the left stands a woman aged 49 smiling at the camera. She has dark brown hair, blue eyes and smiles at the camera. On the right, a woman in her late teens stands smiling at the camera. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and wears a pink t-shirt.
Workers at the Walnut Tree cafe in Llangynidir say the canal is part of their community

The Welsh government said: "Protecting and enhancing our environment and natural resources is key to addressing the climate and nature emergencies.

"We recognise that Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and the Canal and River Trust have successfully reached an agreement on a short-term solution to the ongoing issue, and are continuing their discussions."

It added while the government was not involved in commercial negotiations, it "understands the value" of the canal and was keen to see positive progress in finding solutions.

Richard Parry, Canal and River Trust chief executive, said the pressure remained to "urgently" find a long-term viable solution to protect the canal.

In a statement, he called upon the Welsh government to help secure a more sustainable future, as "it isn't sustainable for a charity to shoulder the full financial burden of this new legislative requirement".