November 2025 saw tree clearance at Waen Wen by Canal & River Trust contractors – a preliminary step towards working up the design for this section.
Waen Wen is the next section of the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire beyond the current project site that runs from Crickheath Bridge to Malthouse Bridge. Waen Wen incorporates a large basin that will, in due course, become the next winding hole beyond Crickheath Basin (the current limit of navigation connected to the national network).
The canal breached in 1936 near Welsh Frankton and was officially abandoned in 1944. Over time, different sections dewatered at different rates according to prevailing ground conditions. Where the canal adjoined pasture, grazing kept the channel fairly clear, but at Waen Wen trees started to eventually colonise the channel. Local residents can remember Waen Wen holding some water long after the breach. It is estimated that the oldest trees in the channel were up to approximately 45 years old and some had grown to a substantial size. Those at or below the future water level needed to be removed. All others, for example on the towpath embankment, were to remain.
Having been assessed by ecologists over the last 18 months volunteers cleared the site of vegetation and scrub between September and November till all that was left were large trees. These have been felled by contractors over the last week in accordance with the Forestry Regulations 1979. Due to the close stand and interlocking canopy the method used for most of the felling was to grab the trunk at high level, cut and then lower the tree in a controlled manner in line with canal. In places the ground was very soft thanks to recent rainfall, not least from Storm Claudia. Logs generated by the felling were used for tracking to prevent the digger from getting stuck. These were placed and removed as the digger progressed. Felling was completed in 3 days.
All the material was dragged along the channel to several large stacks. It was important for arisings to be removed from site promptly. A whole-tree chipper was used for this, being continuously fed from the stacked material. Chipping was completed in a little over two days. A small section remains at the southern end which will be addressed shortly.
What’s next?
The final step of site clearance will be stump removal. This will be undertaken by volunteers next year, once the ground conditions become drier again, using a 13 tonne digger and root hook. Having cleared the site, ground investigation and water testing to inform the technical design can commence. It is expected it will take 2-3 years to finalise the design by which time the current project works as far as Malthouse Bridge should be completed. The final design will comprise not just the technical solution required for waterproofing but also location of moorings and re-vegetation – environment, ecology and heritage are always fundamental considerations.
