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Swansea Canal and River Tawe
Swansea Canal Society trip boat at Marina Lock, Swansea.
The Swansea Canal was infilled during the 1970's between
Swansea City and Clydach. Fortunately, part of the Canal was retained above
Clydach to supply water to INCO Ltd.
Following construction of the Tawe Barrage, Swansea Canal
Society / Inland Waterways Association identified a new route back to the City using the
impounded River
Tawe, plus a new canal link through Swansea Vale. The City & County of Swansea
showed considerable vision by protecting the potential canal route through the
new Swansea Vale development.
There are several stretches of the original Swansea
Canal at Clydach and north from Pontardawe, but culverts/lowered
bridges prevent through navigation. Most restoration work in recent years
has been undertaken near Pontardawe, notably the major repair work by British
Waterways following the disastrous canal breach in 1998. It was very heartening
that BW listened to the views of the local community and made a major commitment
to the future of the Swansea Canal by fully restoring the damaged section.
As the Swansea Canal runs right through the town centres of
Clydach and Pontardawe, it presents a significant opportunity to support
the regeneration of these valley communities.
The route for a "new" Swansea Canal
(click the pics to enlarge)
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Swansea Marina, near site of the new National Waterfront Museum
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River Tawe navigation near Fendrod junction
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The route through Swansea Vale protected by the City
& County of Swansea
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The historic Swansea Canal
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The Swansea Canal at Clydach
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Swansea Canal between Clydach and Trebanos
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Work done by British Waterways at Pontardawe
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Swansea Canal Society trip-boat leaves Pontardawe
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Feeding the ducks between Pontardawe and Ynysmeudwy
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Nov 2007
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WATERLINKS
