Canal history
The Mon & Brec Canal has a fascinating history. Alasdair and Sarah from Beacon Park Boats, together with local artist Michael Blackmore, have produced a limited edition book about the story of the canal.
A brief history
In the 1790s two canals were being planned for this part of Wales so the companies decided to link them at Pontymoile Basin, near Ponypool. The two arms of the Monmouthshire Canal (from Newport to Pontnewynydd, and Newport to Crumlin) were opened in 1799. The Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal (from Brecon to Pontymoile) was fully open by 1812. The canals linked with over 200 miles of horse-drawn tramroads to convey coal, iron and limestone to the busy port of Newport and to other towns in South Wales and the Midlands.After the canals were purchased by the Great Western Railway in 1880 they became known as the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and by the 1910s trade on the canal had virtually ceased. Later in the 20th century the Monmouthshire Canal stretch was adversely affected by road and bridge building but the original Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal survived as a water feeder, although it was no longer navigable.
