MORE than £500,000 is to be invested this winter to improve Wales’ canals, including in Gwent.

Glandŵr Cymru – the Canal & River Trust in Wales – is this month set to begin a £545,000 winter repair programme on the nation’s waterways, including the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.

The work will be carried out over the next five months by the charity’s staff and volunteers. Llangollen will also be worked on.

Richard Thomas, Glandŵr Cymru director, Wales and South West, said: “These canals are among the most beautiful anywhere in the world.

“The projects we’re carrying out over the next five months are really important.

“We’ll be emptying millions of litres of water, moving thousands of fish, and swinging multi-tonne lock gates through the air into place.

“The canals are over 200-years old but arguably as relevant as ever for today’s society.

“They offer an amazing, tranquil space, where everything slows down. So they’re great places to escape the pressures of modern life.

“We know from research that people are happier and more relaxed when they are by water, and the activities the canals support means they can help contribute to improving people’s mental and physical well-being.

“While we’ll be working on some key sections, the remainder of the canals are still open so I’d encourage everyone to come and discover all they have to offer.” For more information about the work or how you can volunteer or donate to Glandŵr Cymru, visit canalrivertrust.org.uk