Cargo barges return to the Grand Union

Britain's canals made the headlines today when freight traffic returned to the Grand Union Canal at Denham, London.

Transport Minister David Jamieson MP launched a new freight contract that will see 450,000 tonnes of sand and gravel carried by canal. Over seven years, this will remove 45,000 lorry journeys from the congested roads of West London.

British Waterways London, Harleyford Aggregates and Hanson Aggregates have commissioned two purpose-built barges for the scheme - a far cry from the commercial narrowboats that once plied the Grand Union and their 'Number One' owner-operator crews. The barges, Colne and Frays, are being used to make the five-mile canal journey from Harleyford Aggregates’ site in Denham to West Drayton on the Grand Union Canal. The sand and gravel is transferred to the barges using a purpose-built conveyor belt installed at Harleyford’s quarry before beginning the journey to the Hanson Aggregates site at West Drayton, where it is made into concrete.

British Waterways believes this could be the first of many new freight cargoes to return to the canals. Its new freight marketing initiative, launched by Mr Jamieson, hopes to encourage such schemes for cargoes which are not highly time-sensitive - like sand and gravel.

Mr Jamieson said: "The Government is determined to improve people’s lives and the environment by getting freight from road to waterway. We would like to see greater use of sustainable alternatives to road freight because of the real environmental benefits these can bring. I am delighted that British Waterways will be actively seeking more freight on their waterways and wish them every success."