Shropshire Routes to Roots

4. The Montgomeryshire Canal

Introduction

A separate company, the Montgomeryshire Canal, was created to extend the Ellesmere's Llanymynech branch to Newtown. John and Thomas Dadford were employed as joint engineers. The canal was built in two sections. That from Carreghofa through Welshpool to Garthmyl together with a branch to Guilsfield was opened in 1797, but by then the money had run out.

Reproduction of an original milepost on the Montgomery Canal [Secret Shropshire]

The final seven miles to Newtown were engineered by Josias Jessop, William's son. Known as the Western Branch, it opened in 1819. Although part of the same company, its finances were always kept separate from the Eastern Branch.

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