DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (106) issued by The Government News Network
on 3 July 2008
A report and
supporting set of maps highlighting the key inland waterways
suitable for freight have been published by the Department for
Transport today.
The documents, published under the title The Key Inland Waterways
for Freight, highlight those areas where the UK's existing
network of inland waterways has the greatest potential for freight
services and can fit with the needs of modern freight businesses.
Transport Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"The role of inland waterways in moving freight is already
significant, primarily in the moving of construction material,
agricultural products, waste and liquid bulks. We would like to
see the market build on this success so that we can reduce the
environmental impact of moving goods.
"In response to feedback from the market we have produced
this report and supporting maps so that operators and their
customers have a greater appreciation of the areas where inland
waterways may help them most.
"Our aim is to promote the use of our waterways for freight
transport where they provide a viable alternative to road freight.
The benefit of this is reduced carbon emissions and congestion on
the road."
The report shows that the areas of greatest potential are the
larger waterways and river navigations linked to our major estuaries.
Notes to Editors
1. The maps and the associated report are available on the DfT
website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/waterfreight/mapkeyinlandwaterways/
2. Additional support for inland water freight is provided by the
Department for Transport, the Scottish Executive, and the Welsh
Assembly Government through the Freight Facilities Grant scheme.
The scheme is available to support companies seeking to invest in
fixed equipment and facilities to permit the use of water freight
as an alternative to road freight. More information is available
at http://www.dft.gov.uk/freight/grants
3. Freight services are operated by the private sector according
to the needs and requirements of their customers.
4. Defra sponsors the two largest inland navigation authorities -
British Waterways and the Environment Agency who between them
manage some 2,800 miles of canals and non-tidal navigable rivers
across the country. There is a number of navigation and other
bodies controlling tidal rivers and estuaries, for example, the
tidal Thames is controlled by the Port of London Authority.
5. Defra is the lead department for the Inter-Departmental
Working Group for inland waterways. The Department for Transport
actively participates with the Inter-Departmental Working Group.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk