There are two main issues.
Firstly, the canal supports a nationally scarce aquatic plant – Floating Water-plantain Luronium natans – which is a UK priority species, with the British Isles supporting a large proportion of the world population. The canal also supports some other uncommon aquatic plants. The presence of these plants is the main reason that the canal has conservation designation status - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Boats with propellers could result in their loss. There is a canal development report put together by a consortium involving nature conservation organisations. Handled in the right way the conservationists think it's possible for the Luronium natans to survive and for boats to be used. They say it needs open water, so just leaving the canal unmanaged wouldn't favour it in the long run. Propellers cause massive disturbance and increased turbidity. This can kill aquatic plants; for the government to give money to effectively destroy an SSSI that is also a SAC is not a good idea. There is also the issue of oil films on the water surface from motor boats. 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. This is perfectly feasible as the canal was built for horse drawn barges. This should be irreversible and permanent and if further restoration takes place in future, should be for the whole SAC. 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. The proposals suggest that the water plants can be simply relocated in new ponds just off the canal. However, this proposed mitigation is unlikely to work. The translocation of these plants has already been tried in other parts of the canal and failed, largely because a) these ponds, similar to the ones being proposed, have not been managed, causing them to silt up and b) an enclosed pond does not have the right conditions needed for plants which favour the open waters of a canal.
Powys County Council, along with the Welsh Government, has recently declared a biodiversity or nature emergency. The canal has nature conservation designation for good reasons; as well as its uncommon aquatic flora it supports many other wetland plants and animal species including kingfishers, clubtail dragonflies, fish and amphibians. It has an important population of mute swans. Overall, the water course, with its adjacent towpath and hedgerows, is a very rich wildlife corridor. This wildlife would be less disturbed by horse drawn boats than propeller driven boats, not least because there would be fewer of them.
Secondly there is an economic argument. There are 5 places where the canal is cut by the main road A483 between Oswestry and Newtown, so in current circumstances, where Welsh Government is against new road building, opening the canal to Newtown is unlikely to happen soon and would be very expensive. 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. The canal used to transport lime but there is no plan for it to be used for transporting heavy goods. With ambulances queuing outside hospitals and children going to school hungry then there would appear to be far better ways to spend £14 million of Levelling Up funds.
The canal makes a great cycle track and a useful long distance traffic free footpath. It is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, fishermen and those keen on wildlife. Reducing its biodiversity might actually see it visited by fewer people. The money would better spent on cycle tracks especially on old railway lines. This could bring even more tourism. Cyclists need accommodation and need cafes to refuel.
Assuming there are only sufficient funds to open up the canal to navigation between Arddleen and Llanymynech, PCC or NRW must insist on only horse drawn boats. If the money is dependent on propeller driven navigation then it would be the first UK SAC to be effectively destroyed. It makes a mockery of pledges to achieve 30% by 2030 and commitments to reversing the biodiversity crisis. PCC could usefully think of an alternative and more useful destination for Levelling Up Funds and projects that are not so environmentally damaging.
We urge people to respond to the Survey and tell the Canal and River Trust to restrict all boat traffic to horse drawn boats or leave the canal alone.
- Community Survey of the Canal (for those living nearby): www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CanalResidentsEng/
- Visitor survey of the Canal: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CanalVisitorsEng/