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The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (popularly referred to as the Mon & Brec) was originally two separate canals: the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal, and the Monmouthshire Canal. The 35-mile navigable section seen today is mostly the former. Following discussions in the 1790s, it was decided to link the two canals at Pontymoile. The Monmouthshire Canal, including a branch from Malpas to Crumlin, was opened in 1799 with the Brecknock & Abergavenny extending from Brecon to Gilwern by 1800, finally reaching Pontymoile by 1812.

Though originally constructed to transport coal, lime and agricultural products the canal was used extensively by ironmasters and industrialists as their main transport network, bringing the raw iron ore up the canal from Newport to Llanfoist Wharf and thence by tramroads to the iron works and returning with trams loaded with iron, the finished product.

In 1880 the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canals were taken over by the Great Western Railway. Within 35 years, commercial carrying had all but ceased. Throughout the 20th century various parts of the Monmouthshire Canal were filled in for road construction. Both canals were abandoned by the early 1960s but restoration work from Brecon to Pontymoile began in 1968 following vigorous campaigning by canal enthusiasts. Recent developments have included a complete regeneration of the terminus at Brecon, and various works continue to reclaim the navigation between Pontymoile and Newport. The Blaenavon area and a section of the canal were granted World Heritage status in 2000 in recognition of its historical significance.
Link Canal and River Trust