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Neath and Tennant Canals

The Neath and Tennant canals are located in South Wales. The Neath Canal is partially open to trailable and portable craft, but the Tennant Canal is closed.

Map of the Neath and Tennant Canals

Aberdulais Aqueduct waterways heritage at risk from climate change

Facts & Stats

13 miles

(20.9km)

The length of the Neath Canal.

8.5 miles

(13.7km)

The length of the Tennant Canal.

21

There were 19 locks on the Neath Canal, one lock on the main line of the Tennant Lock and one lock on the Red Jacket Pil Branch

Neath and Tennant Canals

Tennant Canal

The Tennant Canal joined the Neath Canal at Aberdulais Basin. Now derelict, it linked Swansea Docks to Aberdulais, and included the Red Jacket Pil Branch. There is currently a campaign to restore the Aberdulais Aqueduct, which is a Grade 2 listed structure; the adjacent Tennant Lock; as well as the weir that feeds water into the Tennant Canal.  Neath & Tennant Canals Trust campaigns for the Canal to be eventually be reconnected to Swansea Docks, as part of a scheme to connect to the Swansea Canal so as to create sufficient mileage for a viable hire-operation.

Neath Canal

Substantial restoration works took place on the Neath Canal in the 1980s and 1990s and it is partially open to trailable craft.   The Canal linked Glyn Neath to Giant’s Grave, and included the Briton Ferry Canal.   The Neath Canal Navigation Company is owned by property developers St Modwen, who manage part of the Canal, with most of the rest managed by Neath Port Talbot Council.

Aberdulais Aqueduct, Tennant Canal

Aberdulais Aqueduct is a Grade II* listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument at risk from the effects of climate change.

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.

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.

Waterway restoration

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

Restoration II

Over the last 75 years – since IWA was formed – more than 500 miles of waterway have been restored. This includes the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Rochdale Canal, the Warwickshire Avon, the Peak Forest Canal, Ashton Canal, the southern Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, the Basingstoke Canal, the Droitwich Canals, the Pocklington Canal, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, much of the Great Ouse, the Droitwich Canals and main route through the Middle Level via Well Creek, and many other besides.

Waterway news

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.