The torrential rain that has deluged Wales in recent weeks has closed a section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal between Govilon and Llanfoist. 

A 125-metre section of the 200-year old embankment, which carries the canal along the side of the Brecon Beacons at Llanfoist, has become so saturated with water that it has 'slipped' down the side of the hill.

Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust in Wales, has been working to stabilise the embankment and secure the canal for the past fortnight, but a full repair is expected to cost at least £1million, closing one 2km section of the canal. 

The rest of the canal, south of Llanfoist and the popular stretch north from Govilon to Brecon, will remain open for boaters, walkers and cyclists, with a short diversionary route to take towpath users around the closed section.

The repairs being undertaken by Glandwr Cymru effectively require 'nailing' the embankment back to the bedrock using up to 500 massive pins, each ten metres long.  Having already removed a considerable number of trees from the side of the embankment to prepare for the works, the engineering work started this week. 

Currently Glandwr Cymru estimate that the full repair will take nine weeks, with this section closed until the end of April. 

Vince Moran, operations director at Glandwr Cymru, said, "We have been keeping a very close eye on the slippage since the first movement in the canal's embankment was detected just after Christmas. 

"While we took immediate action, draining the canal and taking daily measurements, the continued rain has meant the embankment has got wetter and heavier. 

"As a consequence it has continued to slip down the side of the hill, causing the crack along the towpath at the top of the embankment to lengthen and widen, and a large section to drop by several metres.

"We know how many people rely on the canal being open. It is central to the economic well-being of this part of the country. 

"We're speaking with local boating businesses, boaters and residents about the need for the work and its impact. We are determined to get the repairs done properly and to open this section of the canal again as soon as possible. 

"We should stress that the canal either side of this short section remains open, and I'd encourage people to continue visiting by foot, bike and boat, as they do in their droves each year."

The repair work in Wales, as well as the clean-up operation across waterways elsewhere, is being supported by a national fundraising appeal.

To make a donation visit hcanalrivertrust.org.uk/national-appeal