The Powys Canal Tourism is a £580,000 programme dedicated to increasing visitors and boosting leisure activities on what will be a showpiece waterway.

The partnership comprises the Wales European Funding Office, Wales Assembly Government’s Pathways to Prosperity, Powys County Council, the Environment Agency Wales and British Waterways.

Wales and Border Counties Project Manager Chris Smith says the project must be delivered by June 2008 when Objective One funding in Wales ends.

“By adapting successful regeneration projects across our network, we can ensure Powys Canal Tourism delivers its economic and social potential within the timeframe,” he said.

“The project has always had a strong partnership behind it and this new phase of the project will see even greater development of the canal and benefits to the local economy.”

Powys Canal Tourism will deliver improvements including:

better access for all including over 2 kms of towpath improvements and installation of countryside furniture such as benches and stiles

canal-linked circular walks with interpretation boards and environmental art work

sustainable waterside and water-based leisure and tourism based activities including canoeing and fishing within the canal corridor

new landscape enhancement schemes at identified locations within the canal corridor in consultation with the local community

new interpretation and marketing work in the form of leaflets and graphics linked to websites new signage to encourage both visitors and local people to utilise businesses and facilities in adjacent villages and towns.

The Montgomery Canal Partnership has already delivered significant benefits to Powys. Shropshire Union Canal Society led the £250,000 restoration of Newhouse Locks, while The Friends of Montgomery Canal, Montgomery Angling Association, Arddleen Community Association and The Packet Boat Duchess Countess Trust are all engaged in promoting and regenerating the waterway.

The objectives of the project are to increase visitor numbers to an estimated 20,000 a year, enhance the visitor experience and boost participation with more leisure, community and education events.