Rebecca Pow, the Minister serving as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, recently made a visit to the wharf in Welshpool accompanied by Craig Williams MP.
Rebecca Pow was met by a delegation representing The Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, Canal & River Trust, Powys County Council, The Shropshire Union Canal Society, The Friends of the Montgomery Canal, The Heulwen Trust and TRAMPS as well as other relevant agencies.
Minister visits Montgomery Canal
After she chatted with all parties represented, Mr John Dodwell welcomed Ms Dow and gave a presentation outlining the history of the canal and the benefits that it holds for both the local area and the wider community. He emphasized how important the recent grant from Government was and the difference it would make to the area between Llanymynech and Maerdy Bridge.
She was then treated to a trip on Heulwen III where she experienced going through the town lock at Welshpool, over the aqueduct and on to the wharf. She was very keen to return along the towpath as she continued to discuss the opportunities that will come with the restoration.
Ms Pow’s visit, together with the previous visit of Simon Hart, Secretary of State for Wales indicates the level of interest that the Montgomery Canal has at Government level in both England and Wales. We are always happy when a minister visits Montgomery Canal as it helps to keep the canal and the restoration work in the public eye.