Minutes:
Newport City Council
Further to her update in February L Richards confirmed that tarmacking of the three and a half mile stretch of cycle way bordering the canal was being carried out.
She had given recommendations for potential RPD funding for the canal to MBACT who would be meeting with CADW.
She also clarified a query regarding NCC Landfill Tax for the Trust. Criteria for Landfill Tax grants had changed with effect from 1 April. Welsh Government would be making these monies available to environmental projects and expenditure of the monies would be limited to 5 miles from the landfill site and not 10 miles as had previously been the criteria although firm details were not available yet.
Torfaen
A Osborne had a short presentation updating members on the Canal Adventure Triangle. 10 projects across Wales had received a share of £27.7m ERDF monies including 3 in SE Wales - Porthcawl Harbour, Rock UK at Merthyr and the Mon Brecon Canal. Partners involved in the Mon and Brecon Canal project are Torfaen CBC, Caerphilly CBC, CRT and MBACT.
· The facilities at Pontymoile were quite poor and these would be improved. There was also a lack of parking in the area and it was hoped to access Welsh Government grants from active travel routes.
· A canal basin would be created in the middle of the new development at South Sebastopol and it was hoped to put in situ moorings and a bridge.
· Pontynewydd Park the overgrown vegetation would be cleared to link the park with the canal.
· A private sector individual had shown an interest in hiring out boats at the 5 Locks Basin.
· A scoping study would need to be carried out on Twmbarlwm & Mynydd Maen as a lot of the pathways had been destroyed by off road bikes.
· More pods would be placed in Cwmcarn Forest Centre. Work would be carried out on the cross country cycle routes at the centre and some re-lining was required on the canal at Pontywaun.
The gross cost of the above works is £4,674,779 and approval was anticipated in April/May 2018. Following approval work was start in May 2018 and hopefully be completed by December 2020.
R Wysom queried the fact that there was no mention in the Adventure Triangle of the canal between Pontywaun and the Darran Bridge at Risca. Andrew confirmed officers in Caerphilly had suggested the Caerphilly projects.
L Richards congratulated those authorities on securing ERDF monies which were no longer available to Newport.
MBACT
MBACT were hoping that funding would be secured from the ERDF Adventure Triangle project, led by TCBC monies, to have a charging point provided at 5 Locks for the Trip and electric powered hire boats. The use of electric boats was discussed and also the need for more charging points along the canal.
Powys
Although having nothing canal related at present there was a hope that in the future the Adventure Triangle would link up with Powys.
J Charlton considered the Steering group a good mix of Local Authorities and organisations which was an open forum discussing and delivering rural urban areas and ideas on the ground which protected heritage and history which can result in economic results.
She believed that following Brexit when European funding was not available it was imperative that everyone work together more closely to secure money for Wales, especially South Wales.
Brecon Beacons National Park
J Stedman reported that BBNP is presently going through a restructing process have recently appointed a new Chief Executive. A new Chair will be appointed at the AGM at the end of July.
Canal River Trust
CRT are also going through a restructuring process when the waterway regions are being reduced from 10 to 6. This area would now include Wales and the Avon & Kennnet & Avon canal and would be called the Wales & South West region. The handover would take place on 4 June.
D Morgan updated members on the Hinterlands project which is a new arts programme supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Arts Council England. New arts activities curated by regional creative producers will tour and connect stretches of waterway or ‘hinterlands’ – areas under-served by the arts and facing economic or social hardship. This programme would involve the local communities near Pontypool.
CRT are currently laying the groundwork for phase 2 of the project and, providing application to the Arts Council Wales was successful, the programme would extend from its current focus on the Torfaen section of the canal.
On 23 April 2018 4 short ‘Year of the Sea’ digital animation films would be launched at Brecon Theatre. Each film is set in a different season and follows the various tram roads which transported different products down to the docks in Newport. Once launched he agreed to forward a link to MBACT for them to display on their website.
The canal between Govilon and Pontymoile is part of the Discovery Trail project led by Torfaen CBC to develop a circular walking/cycling trail connecting Blaenavon World Heritage Site to the canal at Goytre.
CRT were currently looking at re-branding and re-launching a new logo. This will take place on 22 May when the trust will launch themselves as a well-being charity.