Montgomery Canal restoration driving growth in visitor numbers and local spend, new research shows
Waterways charity, Canal & River Trust, together with Shropshire Council and the Montgomery Canal Partnership, has welcomed new research showing that investment in restoring the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire is delivering additional economic benefits. Visitor numbers are rising, more people are staying longer, and these longer visits are helping to boost local spending.
The findings, based on a 2026 towpath survey, show that recent improvements are attracting significantly more people to the area. Overall use of the canal has increased by around 25% since 2024, with many visitors returning more often and others discovering the canal for the first time.
Importantly, the research shows the canal is beginning to deliver tangible value to the local economy. While just over half of visitors are local, many are travelling from further afield, either for extended day trips or overnight stays. This highlights the canal’s dual role as both a valued local green space and a growing visitor destination.
This progress reflects a long-standing partnership between Canal & River Trust, Shropshire Council and the Montgomery Canal Partnership, supported by government funding, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to restore the Mongomery Canal.
The most recent restoration section, completed at Crickheath in Shropshire in 2023, was largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Today, around 60% of the canal is open to boating, including 13 miles in Welshpool, mid Wales, and eight miles in Shropshire.
Restoration work has focused on reopening sections of the canal, improving towpaths, replacing stiles with gates to improve accessibility, and enhancing the natural environment. Together, these improvements are helping to reconnect the canal to the rest of the network and create a more welcoming and inclusive space for both visitors and boaters. In turn, this is helping to position the Montgomery Canal as an increasingly important leisure destination.
Ian Lane, interim regional director for West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: “These findings show that restoration is not just about preserving heritage, but about creating real economic value for local communities. We are seeing more people visiting the Montgomery Canal, staying longer, and contributing to the local economy. This is exactly the kind of impact that targeted investment can deliver, and it strengthens the case for continuing to restore this important waterway.”
Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet member for transformation and economic growth, said: “The Montgomery Canal is a fantastic example of how investment in our natural and historic assets can deliver real economic benefits for Shropshire. These findings show that restoration is attracting more visitors, encouraging people to stay longer, and generating additional spending for local businesses. As the canal continues to be restored, it has the potential to play an even greater role in supporting tourism, creating opportunities for local communities, and strengthening our rural economy for the future.”
David Carter, chair of the Shropshire Union Canal Society, said: “Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring the Montgomery Canal back to life, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference it is already making. The fact that visitors are coming from further afield and spending more time and money in the area shows the wider benefits of restoration. With continued support, we can unlock even more of the canal’s potential for tourism, the local economy, and the community.”
Shropshire Union Canal Society volunteers laying the canal liner along Montgomery Canal
John Dodwell, chair of the Montgomery Canal Partnership, said: “This survey shows the benefits to the community from restoring the Canal and augurs well for further restoration. The main work in Shropshire covers the last two miles in the county – from Crickheath to the border at Llanymynech – and good progress is being made.”
If you would like to volunteer and get involved with the restoration of the Mongomery Canal please visit our page for more information.
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