1

LANDSCAPE AND THE MONTGOMERY CANAL CORRIDOR

Contents

1 General 2

2 Summary of the landscape character 2

2.1 Natural habitats 3

2.2 Historical background 4

2.3 The modern landscape 5

3 Existing landscape designations 8

4 Restoration 9

4.1 Restoration of the channel and associated structures 11

4.2 Improving access to the canal 14

4.3 The provision of nature reserves 16

5 Additional opportunities 17

References 19

Appendices 20

2

1 . General

The restoration of Britain’s waterways is perceived to play a key role in the

regeneration of urban and rural areas which have fallen into decline. It

provides an opportunity for environmental enhancement as well as the

maintenance and conservation of a unique aspect of Britain’s built landscape.

Canals, by their very nature, form an integral part of the landscape through

which they pass and it is thus vital that their restoration is in keeping with the

character of this landscape so that it enhances rather than disrupts the visual

effect.

There are several extant in-depth studies of the landscape corridor through

which the Montgomery Canal passes and this review will briefly summarise

the landscape character identified in these reports and draw conclusions as to

how the restoration of the might affect this landscape. The extent of the

landscape reviewed in this study can be seen on the map at appendix 1.

2 . Summary of the landscape character.

Built between 1794 and 1821 the Montgomery canal runs for some 53km from

its junction with the Llangollen canal at Lower Frankton in Shropshire to

Newtown in Powys, the majority of the canal (36 km) being in Powys. For

much of its length the canal follows the valley of the river Severn, hugging the

western side of the valley before diverging eastwards onto the Shropshire

3

plain after crossing the river Vyrnwy. Somewhat narrow and steep sided at

its southern end near Newtown the valley widens gradually to become flat

bottomed with the river following a meandering course. This valley also

provides the route for A483 trunk road linking the 3 major towns of Oswestry,

Welshpool and Newtown as well as many smaller settlements. The

landscape bordering the canal is rural in character and there are indications

that it has been occupied for several millennia.

2.1 Natural Habitats

The natural vegetation of the landscape surrounding the canal corridor would

have been woodland except where the land was particularly wet. After many

thousands of years of settlement little remains of the ancient forest on the

valley floor or hilltops, the fragments which remain cling to the steeper slopes

of the valley sides (appendix 2) and consist of sessile oak, ash and wych elm

with some beech, sycamore, field maple, cherry, small leafed lime and silver

birch. Most of the other woodland which is now evident results from human

planting, both of broadleaf and conifers.

Species rich unimproved grassland again only exists as isolated patches.

Most grassland in the valley corridor is the result of agriculture – either as

rough grazing or improved grassland.

The Severn valley supports several important wetland sites and associated

nature reserves and there are a number of small areas of pools, fens and

4

mosses in the Shropshire end of the corridor. It should also be remembered

that the Montgomery Canal and its associated offline reserves is an important

wetland site in its own right with a number of SSSI designations and a cSAC

designation for the stretch in Wales.

2.2 Historical background.

There is archaeological evidence to suggest that the lowland and surrounding

hills through which the canal passes has been inhabited and exploited by

humans since Neolithic times. The Kerry Ridgeway, which forms the

landscape’s southern border, has been and important line of communication

since prehistoric times and the remains of number of early forts on the

surrounding hills is evidence of attempts to control the native population and

their communication routes. Later in prehistory and in the Roman occupation

the signs of farming activity begin to appear and the early medieval period

adds church building and the construction of Offa’s and Wat’s dykes to the

region. Little is known of the time immediately following the Norman

Conquest but the influence of the Normans and the rise of the Marcher

Barons from the 12th C onwards, together with the remains of their numerous

motte and bailey castles, illustrates the attempts to impose a foreign culture

on the landscape. Gradually, villages began to develop around those

churches which had been built in early medieval times. Around the villages

agricultural development gathered pace and to add to this the Cistercian order

founded Strata Marcella Abbey just to the north of what is now Welshpool. In

the post-medieval and early modern periods a number of large estates were

5

founded, and between the 17th and 19th centuries gardens and parklands

were laid out around the mansions of the larger estates. These give the

modern landscape much of its character. The establishment of the canal in

the late 18th century to move limestone from the local quarries, especially

around Llanymynech and Pant, brought some industry, such as wharves and

limekilns, to its boundaries. Later in the 19th century the railway introduced its

distinctive features into the landscape.

Historic Lime Kiln - Llanymynech

2.3 The Modern Landscape

This long history has provided a rich legacy of different features to furnish the

modern landscape, which is predominantly of an attractive rural character.

Mostly pastoral in scope, substantial areas of pasture alternate with some

rough grazing and, more particularly towards the Shropshire end of the canal,

6

an admixture of arable farming. In Shropshire the landform can be described

as gently undulating, in contrast with the more hilly landscape of Powys with

the Severn valley becoming narrower and steeper sided as it approaches

Newtown. Of significance, and marking the border between England and

Wales, are the steep and quarry scarred Breidden and Llanymynech hills.

Wooded landscape in the canal corridor

Although there is little natural woodland remaining in the region there is a

“wooded” feel to the landscape with trees in small copses, rows or hedgerows

with some mature “standard” trees in fields. The parkland mentioned above

lends a great deal to this sense of woodedness with fine mature trees lining

roads, as groves or as individual specimens. Although many of these trees

are native a substantial group of Californian Redwood, planted at Leighton

Hall, remains a significant feature of the canal landscape. The tree lined

disused railways around Llanymynech also contribute to this wooded vista.

7

Most farm boundary features are mature hedgerows containing standard

trees, with very little in the way of post and wire. The primary building

material in the region is brick with slate roofing although there are some local

stone buildings around the quarries at Llanymynech and Pant and some black

and white half-timbered buildings at Berriew. That said there has been some

development both on farms and other areas bordering the canal which is quite

out of sympathy with the landscape. Modern metal silos on farms and storage

compounds and working areas can be quite unsightly and, even when some

attempt has been made to shield them, inappropriate means, such as

Leylandii hedging, has often been used.

Farm Silos near Pant

A review of the canal corridor reveals an interesting landscape containing a

range of man-made and natural habitats providing visual variety, from the

relatively flat and open northern sections to the more enclosed and narrow

valley to the south. A varied traditional mix of arable, pasture and woodland

use remains with a changing emphasis between the elements as one moves

8

down the canal corridor. The canal complements this landscape and has

attractive features of its own.

3 . Existing landscape designations

In “The Character of England” the Countryside Commission and English

Nature have defined landscape areas of distinct character. Two of these

character areas are represented in the canal corridor, the Oswestry Uplands

and the Shropshire Plain. In addition Shropshire County Council have

identified the valley of the river Severn as an Area of Special Landscape

Character; this also includes the valley of the Vyrnwy, a tributary of the

Severn (appendix 3 and 4).

In Wales Powys County Council have identified Llanymynech Hill, The

Breiddins and Long Mountain as Special Landscape Areas within the canal

corridor. In 1992 the then Montgomeryshire District Council also identified a

number of Landscape Character Areas which are still extant (appendix 5). In

the canal corridor these are

The FloodPlain around the lower Severn and Vyrnwy valleys.

Broad River Valley including the Severn, Vyrnwy, Guilsfield, Trewern

and Camlad valleys.

Shallow Rolling Hills near Arddleen, Forden and Llanmerewig.

9

Isolated Border Hills of Llanymynech Hill, The Breiddins and Long

Mountain.

Given the historic and architectural significance of the Montgomery Canal,

support for designation of a conservation area covering the whole canal has

been given in principle by Planning Committees of the relevant Local

Authorities.

4 . Restoration

The canal and its associated historical structures, even in their current

underused state, have been an integral part of the landscape for over 200

years, providing mellow buildings and fringing hedges, trees and emergent

vegetation. Community consultation studies carried out as part of the CMS

have shown that the contribution the canal and its associated buildings make

to the existing landscape is greatly valued, both by local people and visitors to

the area. Consultation also shows that there is substantial support for

sensitive restoration of the canal to navigation and improved access for

informal leisure activities. Considerable opportunity exists for enhancement of

the landscape in the immediate vicinity of the canal, not only by the

restoration of existing structures but by creation of new, desirable, habitat

such as ponds and planting of additional hedges and native trees. A principle,

which should be born in mind when considering restoration is that a frequent

problem encountered during heritage conservation, is that the too-rigid

10

preservation of existing features may not be the best way to maintain the

meaning of a place within an evolving context. Landscapes, like organisms,

evolve over time and thus change is not necessarily a bad thing.

The old stable block - Llanymynech

Any restoration would impact the landscape in 3 ways, first restoration of the

canal channel and its associated buildings, second improving access to the

canal and third, the construction of any nature reserves to meet nature

conservation needs. These will be treated in turn below.

11

4.1 Restoration of the canal channel and associated structures.

As it now stands the canal is, in many areas, effectively invisible; the only sign

of its presence being the sharply humped bridges on narrow side roads.

Unless done badly restoration is unlikely to make the canal structure itself any

more conspicuous and thus perhaps the most obvious effect of canal

restoration will be the re-introduction of the canal boat into the landscape.

The predicted number of boat movements throughout is anticipated to be low

and the aesthetic appeal of colourful narrow boats will, it is felt, add to rather

than detract from the landscape. An obvious exception to this principle will be

the rewatering of the dry section of the canal near Pant, which will have an

obvious and immediate effect on the landscape. It is believed, however, that

restoration using traditional materials will enhance what is, at the moment, a

rather drab landscape feature.

Dry section of canal near Pant

In the CMS public consultation study emergent vegetation is valued as a

visual and wildlife amenity. This is perhaps because comparatively little use

12

is made of the canal by fishing interests who, traditionally, dislike anything

which is likely to snag or tangle their equipment. The “Built Heritage”

requirements recommend that the canal channel be restored using a

traditional clay puddle lining which will give ample scope for the growth of

marginal vegetation. There is, however, a potential problem of soft edges

crumbling due to excessive stock poaching in some areas. The introduction

of standard metal reinforcement to these areas would radically change the

look of the bank as it does not normally support emergent vegetation and here

alternatives should be sought. Where access for cattle is essential then

woven brushwood supports could be considered, these provide strength to

the bank whilst trapping silt and thus providing secure rooting for emergent

vegetation. Where animal access is not such an issue then buffer zones

fenced off from stock will be favoured. Whilst additional emergent vegetation

will change the look of the canal in the landscape it would, it is felt, not be

visually out of place as well as providing nesting places for canal side birds

and additional food and shelter for insects and their larvae. It should be

remembered here that the public set great store by the swan population of the

canal.

Where a hard edge is appropriate, such as in urban areas or on the

approaches to bridges or aqueducts, then traditional materials are to be

recommended. Whilst initially somewhat “raw” in appearance natural stone

and brick will mellow over time to provide a pleasing addition to the

landscape. Sheet piling on the other hand is often visible above the surface

of the water and can be very obtrusive.

13

The major feature, which ensures that the canal blends sympathetically with

the surrounding landscape, is the nature of its boundary. For much of its

length the boundary of the Montgomery canal is hedgerow and it is the height

and continuity of this which gives the canal is character both as seen from the

outside and as seen by the user. It is almost always a mixed deciduous

hedge with standard trees, which complements the field hedges of the

surrounding landscape. Any alterations to the boundaries, such as the

creation of buffer zones on the offside, should be fenced by deciduous hedge

laid in accordance with local practice, and where necessary, farmers should

be encouraged to do this. In addition the planting of native trees should

always be considered in any hedge run as, particularly in Wales, they are

greatly desired under the various farm management schemes. This may be

particularly appropriate as a replacement for any willow scrub which has to be

cleared as part of the conservation process. The design and construction

materials of detail features, such as gates and stiles, should also be in

keeping with their surroundings.

A particular problem arises when boundary features are in private ownership,

many of which may be constructed of unsympathetic materials and/or be in

need of repair. Here consideration should be given to setting aside funds to

help towards repair or replacement with materials more in keeping with the

local landscape. At the same time the opportunity could be take to screen off

unsightly contractors yards or farm outbuildings.

14

Unsympathetic boundary feature - Llanymynech

4.2 Improving access to the canal

Access and visitor provision, such as car parking, picnic areas and additional

signs, both directional and interpretative, assist the visitor to maximise their

enjoyment and appreciation of the canal environment. A number of these

facilities already exist, some of which blend well into the landscape and some

less so. The CMS access audit will inform the quantity and placing of

additional car parks and picnic areas; however full reference should be made

to the BW Landscape Design Manual to ensure that appropriate materials and

designs are used for facilities and that the planting of native trees, shrubs and

other plants provide both screening and a pleasant environment for those

using them.

To the majority of people improved access means an improved towpath, the

character of which will depend on both its width and surface material.

15

Walkers generally require an even surface free from too much irregularity and

regularly mown – this is the situation on most of the towpath at present. To

improve disabled access, and access for those with young children, would

require ramps and a firmer surface, such as crushed stone, giving the towpath

a much harder appearance. This requirement would become even more

apparent were the towpath to be opened to cyclists where width, too,

becomes a serious consideration. The provision of towpath seating, another

desideratum from consultation studies, could be visually intrusive and

individual consideration will have to be given on each section of the canal

where it is installed to ensure that both design and material are in keeping

with local character. Paradoxically, the needs of the boater would have far

less visual effect on the margin as his requirement is just for a hard and stable

mooring with the rest of the canal as appealing as possible.

A more problematic, and potentially intrusive, aspect of improved access is

the provision of marinas and their associated development. A policy decision

will need to be made as to the size and siting of marinas – a presumption in

favour of small marinas and/or offside moorings is recommended. A few large

marinas would probably have most visual effect on the landscape, albeit

confined to just 2 or 3 areas, whereas a larger number of smaller marinas and

moorings would, although probably less individually intrusive, spread the

visual effect over a greater area of the landscape. Large marinas would also

probably attract other development, outside the control of British Waterways,

which could have a significant impact on the landscape. Indeed at least one

major marina development together with associated buildings and a housing

16

development, has already been proposed. This in turn would increase and

concentrate visitors and road traffic. British Waterways should consider

working with local planning authorities to ensure that any development is

tasteful and harmoniously integrated with any planned restoration work.

The visual impact and increased noise arising from changes to roads,

resulting from the need to raise and/or re route lowered bridges, are likely to

be the single most intrusive landscape factor in the project. Much thought and

work with local authorities and the highways agency will be needed to ensure

that this is reduced to a minimum. For example the option of less convenient

but less visually intrusive drop locks may be a solution to some dropped

bridges.

4.3 The provision of nature reserves.

Nature conservation concerns dictate that canal restoration, especially in

Wales, is accompanied by the provision of off-line nature reserves. These will

have a considerable visual effect on the landscape, as they will add several

hectares of additional open water and related vegetation. Provided that such

reserves are fenced in accordance with local practice they cannot but

enhance the landscape, as a number of existing reserves already

demonstrate. Additional open water is a desideratum in farm management

schemes in both England and Wales both to create new Biodiversity sites and

additional landscape features. There is considerable scope here, too, for the

planting of native hardwood trees to screen the reserves and provide an

17

additional landscape resource. The presumption will be that any reserves

which are accessible from the towpath or adjoining roads, are open to the

public and that appropriate access provision will be made. There is scope

here for work with local farmers to allow some farm diversification so that they

can provide additional visitor facilities on reserves.

5 . Additional Opportunities

Farm stewardship schemes along the English section of the canal corridor are

proceeding apace thanks to the work of the Severn Vrnwy Project.

Stewardship generally can improve the look of a landscape and encouraging

farmers with land adjacent to the canal to participate in the scheme could lead

to significant improvements in the canal boundary features as well as

improving the water quality in the canal for wildlife. As indicated above there

will be a requirement to create new wildlife habitat as part of the project and

this could be carried out in conjunction with farmers under a Severn Vrnwy

Project initiative, which encourages farmers who do not wish to take up

stewardship to manage specific fields for wildlife. Although presently confined

to Shropshire, it is the intention to extend the scope of the Severn Vrnwy

initiative to Powys.

At the moment there is less opportunity on the Welsh side of the border to

integrate with Tir Gofal. Most of the uptake for phases 1 and 2 was in

Snowdonia and there has been comparatively little uptake in the canal

corridor in phase 3. In the opinion of the Powys office there will be

18

considerably more scope for local initiatives from phase 5 (2005) onwards. Of

special interest will be the Tir Gofal “Streamside Corridor” scheme; a 7m wide

buffer zone next to watercourses, to be fenced off with hedging. Tir Gofal

also encourages the planting of native hardwoods in fields, which may be of

interest in our nature reserve development.

Although not a direct result of canal restoration one additional proposal which

could have a major impact on the landscape would be the re-creation of

additional wetland habitat. It has been suggested that, in tandem with canal

restoration, funds be made available for the re-creation of up to 30 ha of

wetland habitat on the floodplain of the River Severn. Shallow pools, which

may be scoured by winter flooding, are one of the natural habitats of Luronium

natans, and would be ideal for both breeding and wintering wading birds,

which are becoming of increasing conservation concern due to the loss of a

great deal of their inland habitat. Such work would thus have the dual benefit

of conservation for a variety of species as well as providing more of a

desirable habitat, giving additional variety, and value, to the local landscape.

The canal virtually invisible in its landscape - near Welshpool

19

References:

Recent local landscape appraisal studies include:

The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (2003). LandscapeArchaeology Assessment.

English Nature (2003). Natural areas and their role. 41 OswestryUplands. 42 Shropshire Hills.

Shropshire County Council (2003). Shropshire Landscape CharacterAssessment.

Powys County Council (1998). Landscape appraisal of theMontgomery Canal and its visual corridor.

Evison, S (1997). Oswestry Hills Landscape Study.

Countryside Agency Character Areas

British Waterways Landscape Design Manual – Volume 3

20

Appendices:

Appendix 1 – THE CANAL IN THE LANDSCAPE

Appendix 2 – NATURAL AND SEMI- NATURAL WOODLAND IN THE WIDERCANAL CORRIDOR

Appendix 3 – LOCAL CHARACTER AREAS

Appendix 4 – SPECIAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS

Appendix 5 – EXISTING DEFINED AREAS OF LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

21

Appendix 1 – THE CANAL IN THE LANDSCAPE

22

Appendix 2 – NATURAL AND SEMI- NATURAL WOODLAND IN THEWIDER CANAL CORRIDOR

23

Appendix 3 – LOCAL CHARACTER AREAS

24

Appendix 4 – SPECIAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS

25

Appendix 5 – EXISTING DEFINED AREAS OF LANDSCAPECHARACTER