Nature Conservation
In the years following the closure of the canal wildlife flourished. The whole of the Welsh section and parts of the English section (notably the section from the Aston Locks to Keeper's Bridge) were designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The notable wildlife includes Floating Water Plantain and Grass-wrack Pondweed.
In order to preserve the wildlife, nature reserves have been created at points along the canal. These include Rednal Basin, most of the Weston Branch and a specially constructed reserve alongside the Aston Locks. Some winding holes have been given over to nature, with the one adjacent to Crofts Mill Lift Bridge having had boat barriers installed, and the one adjacent to Park Mill Bridge allowed to be partially overgrown. There is a maximum of 1250 boats per year allowed passage on the navigable section in England (i.e. that part connected to the Llangollen Canal). In addition there are stricter speed restrictions than normally found on British canals, with speed limits of 2 and 3 mph for example on the navigable and connected part.
Read more about this topic: Montgomery Canal
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