MORE than £250,000 in funding has been secured for the restoration of a length of the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire.

The Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with the Shropshire Union Canal Society, has received £177,625 in funding from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The grant, secured through Shropshire Council, has been further boosted by additional funding of £76,250 from the Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Restore the Montgomery Canal! Public appeal.

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This funding will secure the next phase of the volunteer-led restoration to restore a further 360-metre section of the canal from Crickheath towards Schoolhouse Bridge, which was levelled nearly 60 years ago.

David Carter, from the Shropshire Union Canal Society, said: “The Society has been restoring the Montgomery Canal since 1969 and is delighted that this funding will enable us to extend our work.

“The next section is a technically challenging length of channel being historically leaky.

“Additionally, it will be rebuilt incorporating water vole friendly ‘soft banks’.

“Our enthusiastic and experienced volunteers are greatly looking forward to the challenge.”

Schoolhouse Bridge was recently completed through the Restore the Montgomery Canal! public appeal, removing the final public highway block and unlocking the potential for full navigation of the canal.

The volunteers will be managed by Shropshire Union Canal Society, building on their experience and success in restoring the canal to Crickheath Basin, which was reopened in June 2023.

The work to date has ensured that all 35 miles of towpath are accessible, with eight miles of canal in Shropshire made suitable for boating between Crickheath Basin and Frankton Junction where the canal joins the Llangollen Canal.

Nicola Lewis-Smith, from Canal & River Trust, said: “This funding takes us one step closer to fully restoring the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire.

“Hundreds of volunteers, with support from the Canal & River Trust, have campaigned and worked tirelessly over many years to make this dream a reality and we’re getting nearer to our goal of having the canal back open.”

Councillor Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council leader, said: “Opening up the canal through Shropshire will help drive tourism and bring economic benefits to communities along the waterway, as well as enhancing the wonderful countryside and habitats.

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“We look forward to seeing the developments and wish the volunteers well with the project.”

John Dodwell, chairman of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, said: “It shows us putting to good use the donations from the public.

“I urge the public to keep donating so the volunteers can continue.”