Montgomery Canal Conservation Management Strategy (1.2MB PDF)

There were a few differences in results based on geography, perhaps summarised as two significantly different strands,
around the towns of Welshpool and Newtown. Welshpool particularly recognised and valued the economic gains from
restoration, no doubt due to existing small businesses that would expect to benefit from restoring the town length to the
national network. At Newtown, and in the south, there was a small but distinct minority who questioned the cost benefit
of restoration of the southern section.
The results showed one marked difference with those of Wozencraft, which was only a tiny number of respondents
favouring no restoration.
There would appear to be two reasons for this: probably the more important is that we have been seeking to design a
scheme with clear safeguards for the values identified from the consultation process. To a lesser degree, there was
some self-selection in who chose to stop to speak to us. However, attending existing village events did enable us to
reach a wide target audience, including residents who were happy with the status quo.
Some follow-up street work was therefore undertaken, in order to obtain a more random sample of the local population.
This showed a lower figure, but still substantial majority of 84% in favour of restoration. 130 individuals answered a
range of questions, with a key finding being 85% in favour of the canal restoration, 7% against and 8% undecided. The
7% against were concerned about privacy and keeping the canal nice and quiet, although wildlife was cited on two
occasions. This figure is lower than the events consultation (94% in favour), but nevertheless confirms substantial public
support for a sensitive restoration.
Some quotes from the consultation
“Getting people to visit the natural world is more important than the conservation of individual plant species”.
“Develop the cycle route down to the Queen’s Head into a circular route by working with heritage railways to utilise
their spare track bed through Oswestry”.
Local resident: “Whatever happened to the ice breaker boat that used to be on the bank near Aston Lock”
Local student: “Market horse drawn dayboats and additional nature reserves as an attraction to tourists.”
Local farmer: “There is money to be made from anglers by providing fisheries well stocked with carp and tench”.
“My grandfather was the last operator of the engines (of the Newtown Pump House)”
“Stop talking and get on with it!” Welshpool public meeting.
156