Mon & Brec prepares for the tourism season

An eight mile stretch from the terminus at Brecon to Ashford Tunnel at Talybont and a 10-mile stretch from Llanover to Cwmbran (bridge number 84 to Five Locks) are still full of water and operating as usual. From Sunday 2 March, boat trips will be running from Brecon and at Goytre Wharf boats and kayaks will be available to hire for the day from Easter.

Enjoy the canal, whatever the weather

Dave Allen, owner of Brecon-based Dragonfly Cruises, is looking forward to another good cruising season on the Mon & Brec Canal. "The 2½-hour round trips from Brecon to Brynich are extremely popular with all ages. Our boat is accessible to people in wheelchairs and children in buggies, and all the seats are inside, so it’s an enjoyable way of experiencing the canal, whatever the weather," said Mr Allen.

The eight acre site at Goytre Wharf, complete with visitor centre, restaurant, daily boat hire and waymarked walks, is gearing up for the visitor season and will host a number of events during 2008 including a Family Fun Day on Saturday 21 June and a Cordell Heritage Day on Sunday 14 September.

Julie Sharman, general manager, British Waterways, Wales & Border Counties, is confident that the wonderfully scenic Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal has lost none of its appeal for the majority of its visitors.

"Apart from a short diversion around the breach at Gilwern, the entire length of the Mon & Brec towpath is available for people to use. And from our observations, it's as popular as ever with families out for a stroll, keen walkers, bird-watchers and cyclists.

BW committed to securing the long term future of the canal

"Throughout this year's planned repair work we are intending to keep the towpath open, putting in diversions as and when necessary. British Waterways is committed to securing the long term future of this beautiful, historic canal which plays such an important role in the life and economy of South Wales," Ms Sharman added.

British Waterways has recently announced plans to undertake a major programme of repairs to the Gilwern breach and other priority areas identified along 16 miles of the waterway, in order to reopen the entire navigable stretch of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal to boats in March 2009.

Repair works on the Mon & Brec.

For more information on events see our events diary.