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Brecon and Abergavenny Canal

The Brecon & Abergavenny Canal runs from Brecon to Pontymoile Junction where it joins the Monmouthshire Canal, which then ran to Newport with an arm to Crumlin.

Map of the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal

Facts & Stats

33.3 miles

(53.6km)

The length of the Brecon & Abergavenny Canal.

6 locks

There are six locks on the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal

From Brecon to Newport

The Monmouthshire Canal and the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal were proposed at the same time and joined at Pontymoile, although they were operated separately until the companies merged in 1865.  They were built to transport coal, lime, iron, iron ore and agricultural products.  The Monmouthshire Canal is mostly under restoration, with only the 2.2 miles (3.5 km) from Pontymoile Junction to Cwmbran Tunnel fully navigable.  The canals are isolated from the main connected network of waterways in England and Wales.

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 60′ 0″ (18.29 metres) – Llangynidr Locks
  • Beam: 9′ 2″ (2.8 metres) – Llangynidr Locks
  • Height: 5′ 6″ (1.67 metres) – Ashford Tunnel
  • Draught: 4′ 7″ (1.4 metres) – cill of Langynidr Locks – but silting means the canal is much shallower than this in many places.

Navigation authority

Canal & River Trust

Branch

IWA South Wales Branch

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.