"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote: >Am I alone here, or do many others believe that in these days of >'environmental concern' and 'reducing the carbon footprint', that we should be >clamouring to have freight back on the waterways. I don't believe that we >alone are responsible for Global Warming, but I still think to take as much >off the roads and on the canals etc would make life that much better for all.
Sure. But the economics are such that a vessel carrying less than about 1,000 T isn't competitive with trains and trucks. So although there is plenty of freight on the larger waterways in mainland Europe, the Freycinet network (~350 T gauge) is now about as bereft of it as the UK narrow waterways (~30 T gauge). This isn't going to change unless oil fuels becomes very much more expensive. That could happen through carbon cap-and-trade, but politicians are scuppering that idea by ensuring that those industries that produce/release a lot of carbon get substantial discounts/exemptions. >PS The best way to reduce carbon footprints is not to step in it in the first >place! Yup. Have few (or no) kids. Adrian Adrian Stott 07956-299966
