Organisers of this year’s Welsh Waterways Festival are delighted with the response from boating enthusiasts.
About 24 boats have now confirmed they are coming to the prestigious festival, travelling from as far afield as Newcastle upon Tyne.
The annual festival, which takes place over the Whitsun Bank Holiday (28th-30th May), will be held on the restored section of the Neath Canal at Ynysarwed Farm near Resolven.
It is supported this year by the Valleys Regional Park with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Western Valleys Regeneration Programme. It forms part of the wider Valleys, Hearts and Soul campaign.
The nine kilometre length of canal is the first phase of a long term project to completely restore the Neath Canal from Glynneath to Briton Ferry and also into the Tennant Canal to Swansea Dockside and forms part of the wider regeneration plans for Neath.
The £5.2 million restoration included four locks and the building of the longest single span aqueduct (34 metres) in the UK taking the canal across the River Neath.
“The popular event is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy a beautiful rural location and to see the restoration of the canal between the villages of Aberdulais and Resolven,” says Council Leader, Ali Thomas.
“Boaters will be able to travel downstream from the festival site across the aqueduct and through the locks into Neath town centre,” added Councillor Thomas.
A caravan and camping site is situated nearby providing parking and temporary washing facilities for visiting caravanners and campers. There are also picnic areas along the canal bank.
“Neath Port Talbot Council is committed to working with the Neath and Tennant Canal Trust and the Neath Canal Company to encourage tourists to explore the waterways and visit the many historical attractions the Neath Valley has to offer,” said Councillor Thomas.
For more information visit the Festival website at www.welshwaterwaysfestival.co.uk
