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Frankton Top Lock, Montgomery Canal

The Montgomery Canal (technically the Montgomery branch of the Shropshire Union) starts at Frankton Junction and almost immediately descends through four locks, the top two of which are joined as a staircase. The canal, which was finally completed in 1819, did not serve Montgomery itself but ran to the Montgomeryshire towns of Welshpool and Newtown. Like most rural canals it was never a prosperous concern and traffic declined steeply after the First World War. It was eventually abandoned in 1936 following a serious breach which the company decided it was not worthwhile to repair; official closure came in 1944 by Act of Parliament. After that the canal deteriorated and had it not been for the determination of the Shropshire Union Canal Society it would have disappeared completely; nevertheless, from 1969 onwards a slow process of restoration has taken place which is at last nearing completion. At present, the canal is navigable for seven miles from Frankton to Gronwyn Bridge; however, the number of boats is restricted by agreement between the British Waterways Board and English Nature, a significant part of the canal being a Site of Special Scientific Interest in England and a Special Area of Conservation in Wales for its aquatic insect and plant life. To manage this, Frankton Locks are currently only open between 1200 and 1400 each day, with pre-booking necessary. Boaters may spend a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 14 days on the canal.