THIS PAGE IS DESIGNED TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THE WORK BEING

 DONE ON THE CANAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGENERATE THE WATERWAY

several years ago the canal was a derelict weed filled and polluted waterway, particularly above tonna lock.

the waterway below Tonna suffered as well when the mine water release flowed downstream, covering the bottom of the canal in a layer of orange scum, cutting out oxygen supplies and killing the invertebrate life. the stretch below Neath was less affected due to the diligence of local anglers who alerted the E.A., and helped rescue several tons of fish which were placed in the unpolluted stretch above Resolven, which had been restored a few years earlier.

A feasibility study was commissioned to see if it would be possible to connect the three waterways in the area, the Neath, Tennant, and Swansea canals. the scheme was costed at over £50 million pounds, and while a long term desire would be extremely difficult to carry out. It was agreed however that a connection between the Neath and tennant canals would b fairly easy to complete, if expensive, and as the Neath canal had already been restored above resolven, the decision was made to carry on with this restoration work.

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                                                                                                                                                    above-----top lock at cyd terrace in clyne, well on the way to being repaired

the top of the lower lock at clyne, the overflow channel has been uncovered on the left.            below the lower lock, major stonework being renovated.

The next section downstream being worked on is the junction of the Neath & Tennant canals at Aberdulais

the canal has been drained, dredged, and the retaining walls rebuilt by expert stonemasons

below aberdulais, tonna lock has also been rnovated.