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enabled restoration of navigation on the sections closed by the 1944 LMS Act. It was the first of a
group of modern canal acts that have reversed the tide for canal closures.

Gradually, lengths of the Montgomery Canal and the Llanymynech Branch have been restored.
Progress was conducted in different parts often at the same time. Restoration edged forward from
Frankton Junction along the length closed by the Perry Aqueduct embankment slip, first to Queens
Head, then on towards Maesbury. The isolated section at Welshpoool had gradually also been
restored heading north to Llanymynech and westwards past Welshpool to Berriew, to the limit of
the Severn Feeder at Freestone Lock.

Piecemeal restoration by the Shropshire Union Canal Society:

1998-2002 Brynderwyn Lock, Montgomery Canal, Western Branch
2002-2006 Newhouse Lock, Montgomery Canal, Western Branch
2006 Crickheath Wharf and canal bed, Llanymynech Branch
2008-2014 Bridge 83 (Redwith)
2014-to date Bridge 84 (Pryles) and 85 (Crickheath), Llanymynech Branch.

The Waterway Recovery Group has also had a long term commitment to restoration on this
waterway, with camps organised often annually. Their contribution included bank piling, towpath
work, locks and general canal bed restoration.

Support in Parliament by MPs such as Michael Fabricant during 2007 helped to highlight a problem
with reduced funding, and laid the foundations for new funds. A development grant of £160,000
from the Heritage Lottery Fund was announced in October 2013, which will support work on a
larger £3.7m bid for restoration work and other improvements from Pryces Bridge to Crickheath.

The Montgomery Canal Partnership membership presently includes: Canal and River Trust,
Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, Powys County Council, Shropshire Council, Natural
Resources Wales (formerly Countryside Council for Wales, EA Wales), Natural England, English
Heritage, Cadw, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW),
Environment Agency, England, Shropshire Union Canal Society, Inland Waterways Association,
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Wildlife Trust

The Montgomery Canal is currently navigable from Lower Frankton to Gronwen Bridge (13 kms)
in England, with limited access for narrow boats from Llanymynech to Freestone Lock in Wales,
with the rest of the canal dry.

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