The demonstration took place on Thompson Avenue in Newport, targeting Newport City Council’s decision to stop maintaining a man-made watercourse that residents say the authority built and had managed for more than 70 years. The watercourse was constructed under council instruction in the 1950s and has since been gated, locked, and maintained by the authority—until now. Dozens of residents braved the rain to protest for justice for the watercourse(Image: Cllr Andrew Sterry)Liz and Jim Preece, long-term residents, said: "The council built this channel and has maintained it for 70 years. Mr Williams said: "The council has maintained this watercourse for over 70 years. A council spokesman said: "The council accepts that residents in Thompson Avenue were not informed of the decision to withdraw maintenance in a timely fashion, and apologises for this.