Posted on: Tuesday 20 September 2022
The canal is one of Torfaen’s most popular attractions for local residents and visitors and is an important conservation area.
Four and a half miles of the route, between Sebastopol and Newport, is owned and managed by Torfaen Council, which appointed a Canal Coordinator last year to help develop its potential.
As part of the plans, the council would like to know what people use the canal for, what you like about it and what else you would like to see there. If you do not use the canal, you can still suggest ideas that would attract you. You can complete the survey here.
Alice Rees, Canal Coordinator, said: “We know a lot of people use the canal regularly for a host of different reasons. We’d like to find out what else would encourage you to use it more, or what would attract those who have never visited.
“You can take part in the online consultation or you’re welcome to come to one of our drop-in sessions.”
Councillor Joanne Gauden, Executive member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: “The canal offers a host of recreational opportunities for the boating community, residents and visitors including cycling, walking, horse riding and angling along the tow path. There are also volunteering experiences as well as a programme of organised events and activities on offer.
“We want to encourage more people to use the canal by offering more activities which complement its conservation status and ecological value.
“The feedback from this survey will help inform the development of draft ‘Canal Strategy and Action Plan’ which will be consulted on later in the year.”
Consultation opens Tuesday 20 September and closes on Tuesday 18 October.
Paper copies are also available from the Civic Centre and locations along the canal (contact Alice for more details).
You can also meet the team at these drop-in sessions:
Tuesday 27 September
10:30am – 2:30pm
Ashley House Youth Centre/Gym, Mount Pleasant Road, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, NP44 1AN
Free parking available
Wednesday 28 September
2:30pm – 5:30pm
The Community Centre (Cwmbran Community Council), Ventnor Road, Cwmbran. NP44 3JY
Please note that the Community Centre is located behind the main Council House
Free parking available
If you would like to leave your views and comments in Welsh at any of the drop-in sessions, please contact alice.rees@torfaen.gov.uk three days before the session you are attending.