Llangollen Canal

The Llangollen Canal runs from the Shropshire Union Canal at Hurleston Junction to Llantysilio Bridge just beyond Llangollen, where it terminates into a feeder from the River Dee. The Llangollen Canal also links to the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction.

There are three arms, none with any locks:

• Ellesmere Arm – open – 0.25 miles (0.4km)
• Prees Branch – restored for 1.5 miles (2.4km) and 2.0 miles (3.2km) derelict
• Whitchurch Arm – restored for 0.25 miles (0.4km) and 0.75 miles (1.2km) proposed for restoration.  The Whitchurch Arm was built by the Ellesmere Canal Company and opened in stages between 1808 and 1811.  Its use had ceased in the 1930s, and it was formally abandoned, along with the Llangollen Canal, in 1944.  When the latter was reopened in the 1950s, the Whitchurch Arm was not, as it had been filled in by 1950.  In 1983, Whitchurch Town Council funded a feasibility study to see if restoration was possible and Whitchurch Arm Trust was set up in 1986.  The Trust secured grants to fund the restoration of the first section of the Arm from its junction with the Llangollen Canal to the bridge at Chemistry, and this was completed in October 1993.  The Trust now owns and maintain this section, including Chemistry Bridge and derives income from long-term moorings on the Arm.The Trust plans to extend the canal under Chemistry Bridge and create a new basin with moorings on part of a country park, which would enable boats to moor closer to the town.  Planning permission has been obtained and the work costed at about £650k.  This would be along a new line, as this end of the Arm has been built over since it was abandoned.