Montgomery Canal

The Montgomery Canal is a semi-disused canal in eastern Wales. Which runs 33 miles (53 km) from "Frankton Junction" with the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire (England). To the town of Newtown in Powys, via Welshpool.

At present only the northern section near Frankton Junction, and a central section of the canal around Welshpool is naviagable.

History

The canal was authorised in 1793 and by 1797 it had been only partially finished. The canal travelled through a sparsely populated area, and generated only rural traffic which made little profit. A lack of capital and income greatly delayed construction of the canal. It was finally completed through to Newtown in 1821, the work having been fiananced by a different company. In total the canal was built over a period of 30 years by three different companies.

In the mid-19th century the canal became part of the Shropshire Union network.

The Montgomery Canal gradually increased traffic and became profitable. It remained so until after the First World War after which it began making heavy losses. The Shropshire Union company was bought out by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1922 and the canal became increasingly run down.

In 1936 a breach ocurred near Frankton Junction and the decision was taken, to abandon the canal.

In recent years enthusiasts have been steadilly restoring the canal for use by pleasure boaters. Although in several places, the canal has been filled in and roads have been built over the formation, and re-opening the full length of the canal would be an expensive project.