Wildlife experts have called for the Montgomeryshire canal to ban boats with propellers, and to only allow horse-drawn vessels in a bid to protect wildlife.
In a joint public letter a number of local specialists, including broadcaster Iolo Williams, argue that the canal supports a number of "uncommon aquatic plants" that has led to it being named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The canal also supports other wetland plants and animal species including kingfishers, clubtail dragonflies, fish and amphibians, as well as being home to mute swans.
The group, which also includes – entomologist Simon Spencer, Kate Thorne the BSBI vice-county Recorder for Montgomeryshire, Clive Faulkner of the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, Rachel Sharp of Wildlife Trust Wales and Lizzie Beare and Sue Southam of the Montgomeryshire Field Society – argue the use of propellers and oil films left by motors would destroy the plant life in the canal.
“If the canal was opened for navigation, PCC or Natural Resources Wales (NRW) should insist that in Powys all motors are off and all large boats are horse drawn," the group said. "This is perfectly feasible as the canal was built for horse drawn barges.
“It would provide good employment opportunities. Horse drawn boats would probably be better long-term than no navigation at all which would lead to eventual silting up. They would also provide a unique quasi-historical experience that could be a delightful, if expensive, option for canal enthusiasts."
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The Canal and Rivers Trust is expected to receive £14 million in Levelling Up funding to restore the section of the Montgomery Canal from Llanymynech to Arddleen, which will be administered by Powys County Council.
The A483 blocks the canal in two places in Arddleen, so the first phase of work is to restore from Arddleen to Llanymynech, but the intention is to eventually restore navigation to Newtown.
But the group argues: “It is our opinion that the economic return is tiny in comparison to the cost of restoration, as canal boat passengers don’t need overnight accommodation and at best buy a few pints in the pubs.
“If the money is dependent on propeller driven navigation then it would be the first UK SAC to be effectively destroyed.
“PCC could usefully think of an alternative and more useful destination for Levelling Up Funds and projects that are not so environmentally damaging."
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