REGIONAL MS Altaf Hussain, pictured at the Aberdulais Aqueduct. This historic structure which is classed as an ancient monument, was built in 1824 to connect the Neath Canal with the newly built Tennant Canal which ran over to Port Tennant in Swansea.
In recent years, the aqueduct has been damaged in several major floods when it was overtopped by water from the River Neath which it crosses over. The water for the Tennant Canal was taken from the River Neath by a weir which has also been damaged in recent years.
Dr Hussain has been approached by residents in Skewen and Jersey Marine worried that the lack of water travelling into the Tennant Canal is threatening wildlife which lives in the canal.
Until last year, water continued to be pumped into the canal for the use of Baglan Power Station which has now ceased to operate. The company that owned the power station paid the costs of keeping the pumps running. Water from the canal was piped across the river Neath to Baglan.
The canal is privately owned and now has no income so the owners are unable to afford to keep the pumps operating. As a result, water levels have dropped over the summer although will probably rise again if there is heavy rainfall in the autumn.
Dr Hussain said: “I met representatives from the canal owners and also from the Neath and Tennant Canal Trust which is concerned with protecting the industrial heritage connected to both canals.
"I intend to contact NRW, Cadw and both NPT and Swansea Councils to see if we can set up a joint meeting to try and thrash out the issues involved.
“There are worries about further flooding at Canalside in Aberdulais , which I understand, but also there are fears about the loss of the aqueduct and weir as NRW has said in the past that both should be removed. If further flooding occurs and the aqueduct sustains more damage, it could well be damaged beyond repair and would have to be demolished.
“We need to find a solution that preserves this part of the area’s historic infrastructure which does have a tourism potential especially as it is so close to the Aberdulais Falls site operated by the National Trust. We must also protect wildlife in the Tennant Canal and ensure the householders in Aberdulais do not experience any more flooding. It’s a big ask but we must find a way by having everyone working together.”