Public to give opinion on new Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site
Members of the public are invited to give their views about future development around the canal World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, in North Wales, at two drop-in consultation events being hosted in December.
It will identify opportunities for tourism and economic regeneration at Trevor Basin, next to the aqueduct, and nearby communities of Trevor, Froncysyllte, Acrefair, and Cefn Mawr.
Everyone is invited to give their views and offer ideas for the future of this historically important site at Trevor Community Centre on Wednesday 6 December, 2pm - 8pm, and on Monday 11 December at Cefn Mawr, George Edwards Hall, from 10.30am - 3.30pm.
The Trust cares for 2,000 miles of the nation's waterways including the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal.
This includes former manufacturing, warehousing and water treatment sites, plus 25 hectares of fields and woodlands adjacent to the World Heritage Site and along the River Dee.
Suggestions include:
A new visitor centre and visitor experience
Extra car parking
New footpaths and cycleways
Improved signage
Recreation of historic transport routes
Enhanced infrastructure for business boating customers and private boaters
Tree management to enhance views
Creation of new habitat/ green space on former industrial land
The study area boasts a challenging mix of land uses from brownfield sites left vacant after the closure of chemical and brick manufacturing industries to an internationally-important canal tourist destination. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site, currently attracts 250,000-300,000 visitors a year and has potential to bring more jobs and economic prosperity to the area.
The first stakeholder meeting was held at Trevor in June, when suggestions were made for a new visitor centre and canal basin next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a treetop pathway, improved cycling and walking routes, nature walks, leisure activites such as glamping, and extra car and coach parking. There are plans to address the parking issue immediately with a proposal to create an extra temporary car park while the masterplan is developed.