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Our guide to the waterways of the UK in detail.

The history of the Montgommery Canal.

In 1792 when the Ellesmere Canal Company planed to build a branch line to Llanymynech on the Welsh border, a waterway was conceived which would connect this to mid-Wales. The main cargo would be limestone carried to numerous lime kilns along the route as well as coal and agricultural produce.

In 1793 the Montgomery canal was authorised to run from Llanymynech on the Ellsemere canal to Newtown.

By 1797 a sixteen mile stretch of the Montgomeryshire Canal from Llanymynech to Garthmyl was completed but work stopped seven miles short of Newtown. The "Carreghofa Branch" of the Ellesmere Canal had opened to Llanymynech the previous year though the Elsemere failed to provide an outlet to Chester or to Shrewsbury at this point. Despite the lack of a link to the main waterways network, the Montgomeryshire Canal was already doing well in its own self contained world. Finally in 1806 the Ellsemere canal created a link to Chester at last.

In 1821 a new section was opened connecting the Montgomery canal to Newtown, and named the Western Branch, from this time on the original part of the Montgomeryshire Canal became known as the Eastern Branch.

In 1847 the Eastern Branch owners agreed to a handsome sum of money and the waterway joined the Ellesmere & Chester Canal as part of the Shropshire Union Railway & Canal network which was formed with a view to converting the waterways into railways. For three years the Western Branch stayed independent then it too joined the Shropshire Union network in 1850.

From this time on, the whole line from Welsh Frankton to Newtown was known as the Montgomeryshire Canal. The Shropshire Union Canal network was soon taken over by London & North Western Railway though the new owners were unable to build tracks on the canal due to legal wrangles in parliament.

In 1969 the first part of the Montgomeryshire Canal to be restored was in Welshpool in the middle part of the route. Much of the canal has been restored over the following years, although often in the face of strong opposition from the local councils.

In 1987 the four locks at Frankton Junction (on the original Ellesmere Canal) were restored allowing a navigable stretch of about ¼ of a mile. However, at this stage there was nothing at the bottom of the locks - not even a turning point. Work now began on the stretch south of the locks. In 1995 the first 1½ miles from Frankton Junction (on the original Ellesmere Canal) were open. Then in 1998 a brand new Perry Aqueduct section was complete and the section to the south opened. This provided nearly 4 miles of navigable water from Frankton Junction to Queen's Head. Finally in 2002 next section containing the 3 Aston Locks and the canal from Queen's Head to Maesbury Marsh were opened. That is the present terminus.

The next stretch from Maesbury Marsh to Llanymynech is still just a dry bed but - considering the speed at which work has progressed so far - it probably will not cause too much trouble to restore.

One of the last of the Bridgewater canal Fly Boats, 'Duchess Countess' built in 1871 was used as a hen house at Welsh Frankton on the banks of the canal till it was broken up in the early 1960's.

Sources.

Nicholson Guides to the Waterways.

Roots & Routes, Peter Hardcastle's Website
http://www.canals.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

Some pictures of this canal?

Pictures of the Montgommery canal.

General information on the canal.

Find our information about other canals on the canal index page.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk