Rejected petition Preserve and protect the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal for future generations

The Mon & Brec Canal is one of the most beautiful tourist and leisure attractions in Wales. However, its future is under threat due to new water restrictions. The Canal and River Trust predicts that the canal could run dry this summer.

We call on the Welsh Government to work with NRW, CRT, and Dŵr Cymru: to balance the ecology and operational needs of both the River Usk and the canal; to agree more realistic water abstraction limits; and ensure a holistic view of water supply for all users.

More details

CRT must apply for NRW licences for water to supply the canal. This includes the feed at Brecon from the River Usk. The licences restrict the amount of water that CRT can take, below the levels taken for the last 225 years needed to operate the canal successfully.

This will have a huge impact on local economies including 6 boat hire companies, 2 trip boat companies, pubs, restaurants and hotels, shops, boatyards. The canal is used by boaters, walkers, runners, cyclists, anglers, canoeists and outdoor education. An essential resource for health and wellbeing.

We ask Welsh Government to:

- Ask NRW to review the licences, and to impose realistic water abstraction limits that protect the operations of the canal
- Recognise that the canal and the river are parts of one eco-system
- Support CRT with practical ways to preserve the canal (including grants and access to other low or no cost water sources)
- Set up a new project for the River Usk catchment to ensure there is a holistic view of water supply.

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue, or if the Petitions Committee has considered one in the last year.

I've noted your suggested solutions, and we will be in touch when the other petition https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246570 comes for consideration by the Committee.

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards

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Date submitted 24 March 2025
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