The "Mon and Brec" was originally two independent canals - the Monmouthshire Canal from Newport to Pontymoile Basin (including the Crumlin Arm) and the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal running from Pontymoile to Brecon. Both canals were abandoned in 1962, but the Brecknock and Abergavenny route and a small section of the Monmouthshire route have been reopened since 1970. Much of the rest of the original Monmouthshire Canal is the subject of a restoration plan, which includes the construction of a new marina at the Newport end of the canal. The Monmouth Canal originally opened in 1796, was 12.5 miles long, and ran from Newport to Pontnewynydd, via Pontymoile, rising by 447 feet (136.3m) through 42 locks. The 11 miles (18 km) Crumlin Arm left the main line at Crindau, rising 358 feet (109m) through 32 locks to Crumlin (including the Cefn flight of Fourteen Locks), which was opened in 1799. The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal was first proposed in 1792 as a separate venture, to link Brecon to the River Usk near Caerleon. However, it was not until 1795 that Thomas Dadford was appointed engineer and construction began at Penpedairheol near Crickhowell. Work began in 1796 and by late 1797, the canal was open from Gilwern to Llangynidr in Brecknockshire.
