Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

During August 2006, LTC were commissioned by Caerphilly County Borough Council to undertake a study and prepare a Management and Enhancement Opportunities Plan for the period 2007 - 2017. The subject of the study is a 7km stretch of the Crumlin Arm of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, between Forest Drive, Cwmcarn and Harry Roberts Bridge, Pontymister.

LTC appointed ADAS and Peter Brett Associates to carry out ecological and engineering surveys, and provide input for the formulation of the masterplan and maintenance plan.

Extensive surveys were carried out including , landscape and visual, ecology, canal structure and a survey of existing trees along both sides of the canal corridor using the Councils Arbortrack system. 52 Hours of public consultation was also carried out over several days, to establish user patterns.

1:2500 masterplans were developed identifying locations for enhancement works which included a range of operations from eradication of invasive weeds, habitat creation, canal repairs, bio engineering proposals, introduction of planting and seating, to larger scale enhancement proposals including the creation of carparks and new park areas. A series of sketch schemes were produced for primary sites and capital costs were estimated for each masterplan proposal.

Propsals were prioritised and given complexity ratings according to how easy or difficult they would be to acheive. These were coordinated to create a costed, prioritised, action plan.

A Design Guide was developed to inform future detailing and realisation of the masterplan.

The 10 year mangement and maintenance plan sets out routine operations and their recommended frequency, and cyclical and one off management operations, for the masterplan area. The plan includes estimated costs for each operation.

The 800,000 pound Enhancement and Management Plan developed for the study, has enabled the Client to enter into a joint bid to the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmark programme, along with adjacent Council's, the Canals Trust and British Waterways.

Back to Environmental Enhancement Studies ››