Pontcysyllte Aqueduct towpath to close for repair works

The Canal & River Trust has announced that the towpath across the aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal will be closed from November 23 to November 27 to allow temporary repairs to the towpath surface.

As part of the works, navigation through the aqueduct will also be temporarily suspended for two 30-minute periods each day while materials and equipment are transported by boat.

The short navigation closures will take place daily between 8.30am and 9am, and again from 3.30pm to 4pm.

Outside of those periods, the aqueduct will remain open to canal traffic throughout the repair programme.

The trust said a banksman would be on site during the works to manage boat movements safely past the work area. Boaters have been advised to approach with caution, follow instructions from staff and allow extra time for potential delays.

The week-long project is intended to carry out essential temporary repairs to the surface of the towpath, which forms part of one of North Wales' most popular visitor attractions.

The aqueduct itself, which carries the Llangollen canal over the River Dee, was created by celebrated civil engineer Thomas Telford and completed in the early years of the 19th century.

It a much-loved tourist attraction boasting a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor from 1,761 reviews.

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts thousands of visitors each year, with walkers, cyclists and narrowboat users regularly crossing the landmark structure over the River Dee.

In a notice announcing the closure, the Canal & River Trust apologised for any inconvenience and thanked customers for their patience and cooperation while the repairs are completed.