Dragonflies, ducklings and a dream of the future – all things I saw on a recent walk along the stretch of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal that runs through Torfaen.

The canal has played a significant part in our industrial heritage, connecting the tramroads to the iron works in Blaenavon and the forges at Garnddyrys.

In recognition of its historical significance, the Blaenavon area and a section of the canal were granted World Heritage status in 2000. The same, however, cannot be said of all sections of the canal much of which in the Cwmbran area was filled in for road construction.

That was why it was really great to join a member of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Group to walk that stretch of the canal and to hear about their campaign to bring the section between Bridge 46 and Five Locks back into use.

I think we have all become much more aware of the importance of accessible open spaces to our mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. The idea of being able to enjoy the canal once again either on the water or walking, running or cycling along the towpath is key to giving the canal a new purpose in Torfaen.

At the moment, the stretch I walked along is unnavigable because of works associated with the new South Sebastopol Development which borders both sides of the canal. I understand that the canal should be accessible again soon but there is much work to do in maintaining the canal banks and the canal itself which has considerable amounts of weed growing in it as well as large amounts of algae.

In addition to the campaigning work of the Bridge 46 to Five Locks Group, I am pleased that Torfaen Council who are responsible for the stretch of the canal are in the process of appointing a new canal officer who I hope will build on the energy and enthusiasm for bringing the canal back to life.

There is a lot of work to do but it will be really great to see the canal make a new history for itself by becoming a valued and vital leisure destination for people in Torfaen today as well as a home to plenty of wildlife including dragonflies and ducklings like the ones I saw on my walk.