WORK is under way to open a stretch of canal in Newport which will enable boats to travel along it for the first time in about 40 years.

Bettws Lane Bridge, Bettws, is currently an obstacle in the canal stretch between Newport and Cwmbran because it is too low for barges to pass.

But work has now begun to make more room under the bridge - opening up the canal between Newport and Pentre Lane.

Chris Morgan, events and publicity officer and former chairman of the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust, said: "It's an important project - we have been pushing for it for years."

The trust was registered as a charity in 1984 with the aim of promoting the restoration of the canal running from Newport to Pontymoel.

The £700,000 Bettws Lane scheme, designed by Capita Symonds and carried out by Alun Griffiths, is the latest step in opening up the canal.

Money was provided for this project by the European Union through the Objective 2 programme, and the Assembly through the Local Regeneration Fund.

The work is due to be completed in July.

A temporary structure will be erected next to the bridge for traffic while work is carried out.

Consultation was carried out with the Canal Partnership - made up of Newport county council, the Canal Trust, British Waterways, Caerphilly county borough council and Torfaen council, who all own sections of the canal.

Local community groups and the public were also consulted.

A council spokesman said: "This is the first time in about 40 years boats will be able to navigate this part of the canal.

"The completion of the project will remove the one major obstacle to navigation between Newport and Cwmbran."

Councillor Noel Trigg, who represents Bettws, said: "It's fabulous what they're going to do."

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, who also represents the area, said: "There's a lot of interest in the canal. It will give people pride in the estate."