Over £250,000 has now been secured for the Society’s current Montgomery Canal restoration project at Crickheath. This follows on from the pilot scheme activities in 2023 which finalised the design.
Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with the Society, has received £177,625 in funding from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The grant, secured through Shropshire Council, has been further boosted by additional funding of £76,250 provided by the Society and the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal.
This £253,000 funding will finance the next 12 months of volunteer-led restoration: a 360-metre section of the canal from Crickheath Bridge (Bridge 85) towards Schoolhouse Bridge (Bridge 86).
The Society’s volunteers will be building on their experience and success in restoring the canal to Crickheath Basin, which was reopened in June 2023.
Nicola Lewis-Smith, from Canal & River Trust, said: “This funding takes us one step closer to fully restoring the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire. Hundreds of volunteers, with support from the Canal & River Trust, have campaigned and worked tirelessly over many years to make this dream a reality and we’re getting nearer to our goal of having the canal back open.
“The restoration of another section of the Montgomery Canal will bring benefits to local people and businesses through regeneration, jobs, and leisure opportunities, as well as improving corridors for wildlife.”
Lezley Picton, leader of Shropshire Council, said: “Shropshire Council was delighted to be able to help access funding for this exciting project.
“Opening up the canal through Shropshire will help drive tourism and bring economic benefits to communities along the waterway, as well as enhancing the wonderful countryside and habitats.
“We look forward to seeing the developments and wish the volunteers well with the project.”
