Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick has called for more to be done to address the water supply issue affecting the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Earlier this year, operators of the 225-year-old canal issued a warning about an “urgent” water shortage, with concerns it could run dry in a matter of days without significant rainfall.

This follows the introduction of restrictions on the canal’s historic water supply from the River Usk at the end of last year, compounded by the unusually dry start to 2025.

In April, Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust, secured an emergency water supply for this summer from Welsh Water. But the charity has described the solution as a “temporary fix” and warned that a longer-term strategy is urgently needed.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Chadwick said none of the relevant authorities have responded to a request for a meeting.

He asked Environment Minister, Emma Hardy, if she agreed that in instances like that, it would be helpful for the minister whose department is implicated to pay attention.

Mr Chadwick said: “They should come to Brecon and help us to find a solution.

“The minister will have heard the points we have made about the lack of supervisory authorities.

“Will she write to the Welsh minister responsible and ask him to look into the case of the Brecon canal?”

Ms Hardy said water is a devolved matter.

She told Mr Chadwick: “I do not want to get into an issue for which power is devolved, or I would be instructing a Welsh minister about what they should or should not be doing.

“I encourage the hon. Member to write back to the Welsh minister and maybe copy in the Secretary of State for Wales.

“That might be one way forward, rather than a minister in this place being seen to tell a minister in a different government what they should or should not be doing. That would be stretching the confines of this debate.”

The Senedd petition to keep the ‘Mon & Brec’ alive has attracted more than 13,700 signatures.

A remnant of Wales' industrial past, the 35-mile waterway is one of the most scenic in the UK.

Speaking last month, Mark Evans, director at Glandŵr Cymru, said: “The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is still navigated by boats just as it has been for hundreds of years. It remains one of the most popular canals for holidaying. Our charity looks after this wonderful haven for people and nature and is committed to do all we can to keep the canal open.

“This year, more than ever before, we want people to show their support for the canal – both by visiting to experience the unique character of the waterway and by joining the campaign to ensure that the canal has a sustainable long-term water supply.”

“We must keep the momentum behind the campaign to keep the canal alive,” he said.