Members of Cwmbran Community Council’s environment, sustainability and planning committee met last week.
The meeting included a Q&A session with Cllr Mandy Owen and Simon Anthony from Torfaen Council’s recycling service, and the announcement of £10,000 for Citizens Advice Torfaen and 1,200 thermal blankets for vulnerable residents.
Other items discussed included:
The canal in Cwmbran
Alice Rees, canal co-ordinator at Torfaen Council attended following requests from councillors that some areas of the canal in Cwmbran had been neglected.
Cllr Fay Jones, St Dials Ward, said there were issues on the stretch in Two Locks with fish dying, water levels dropping and weeds. She said: “We feel like the poor relations down our end. It’s beautiful at the other end. We have lots of complaints from residents.”
Cllr Stuart Ashley, Mount Pleasant Ward, said he identified five different types of weeds on the stretch from Ty Coch to the fire station and added: “This is not a navigable part of the canal. Once you’ve got navigation it’s a different thing altogether.”
Ms Rees said she was developing an action plan and strategy. She explained the difference between the maintenance of sections of the canal that could be used by boats and those which could not. The navigable sections have additional responsibility when it comes to weed cutting.
She said the council had “listened to the community” and was planning a cut of the fire station/ Two Locks stretch on 13 December. She told councillors that the council has “limited resources” but knows that the more boats that use the navigable stretches build a case for more funding to “restore navigation” to other parts of the canal.
Cllr Jones asked if the community could match fund costs of work to the canal. Cllr Ashley suggested the council funds a boat trip day on the fire station stretch of the canal.
Cllr Mike Villars said: “It’s great news that the fire station stretch is being cut.”
Ms Rees agreed to meet community councillors for a walk on the canal.
Litter bins, daffodils and a new noticeboard
Cllr Luke Simmonds, Two Locks Ward, has asked for quotes for daffodil bulbs and new litter bins for Hollybush Road and Two Locks Road. He has also asked for a quote for a noticeboard on Two Locks Road.
Daffodil bulbs were quoted at £3.50 for 3kg and councillors were asked to come back with information on how many they needed to plant in their wards.
Councillors were told that Torfaen Council can place bins in locations where this is a demand so doing it this way would avoid a cost to the community council.
🙏 Do you enjoy reading Cwmbran Life?
If you enjoy Cwmbran Life, please consider supporting the site so I can keep writing and sharing the stories you like to read. Every story, photo or video has taken time to produce and share with you. News isn’t free. There are several ways you can help me spend more time out and about in the community:
🤝 Become a Facebook Fan subscriber.
☕️ Buying Me a Coffee – Make a donation or become a subscriber.
💻 Businesses can advertise on site’s business directory or take out some sponsored social media posts. Email [email protected] and we can chat.
💸 Send a donation via PayPal.
Photo credit
Photo by Julian Majer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-daffodils-in-selective-focus-photography-1009681/
