| UK. Inland Waterways Freight Group re-launches water transport campaign |
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| Tuesday, 21 February 2006 | |
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Waterways news: The Inland Waterways Freight Group is part of The Inland Waterways Association’s Navigation Committee and campaigns for greater use of inland waterways for freight transport. The Freight Group has produced a leaflet designed to highlight its work and the potential of water transport. The leaflet contains a brief history of the group as well as a summary of what the Freight Group is doing to advance the interests of water freight. At a time when environmental concerns are foremost The Inland Waterways Freight Group is campaigning for greater consideration to be given to freight transport by water. Water transport consumes less of the earth’s finite resources such as, fuel, aggregates and land, and is less damaging to the environment in terms of air and land pollution, as well as noise and visual intrusion. With one litre of fuel, water freight can move 127 tonnes over 1 kilometre, whereas rail manages just 97 tonnes and road only 50 tonnes. The Freight Group works closely with other organisations to encourage a positive attitude to water freight both at government and local planning level through talks, publications and the monitoring of planning decisions. David Hilling of The Inland Waterways Freight Group said, ‘There have been signs in the past few years that water freight is moving up the Government’s agenda. However water freight still operates at a financial disadvantage and in many places wharves, which are essential to water freight transport, are disappearing. Water transport already plays a key role in our transport network not only carrying goods such as sand, cement and recyclables, but also abnormal loads, such as aircraft wings and much more. In 2003 24% of goods moved in the UK were moved by water, compared to 8% by rail and 4% by pipeline; however the potential of water transport is much greater and should be exploited.’ |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 21 February 2006 ) |
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