Waterways may play key role in the next transport revolution

Aug 13 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

THE BBC's new series, Britain from Above, got off to a spectacular start on Sunday as Andrew Marr took an unusual view of some of Šthe nation's habits.

ViewedŠ via satellite from high above the British Isles, we certainly do seem to be both a beautiful Šand chaotic country.

High-tech wizardry allowed the BBC's former political editor to give us an extraordinary insight into how we go about our daily lives. Examples ranged from how busy London taxis are at various times of the day, to a scary Šview of the complexity and congestion of our shipping lanes.

ŠApart from providing spectacular footage, the first episode of this clever series raised some interesting Šissues facing businesses across the country and, to some extent, the country's future economic prosperity.Š

ŠThe man in charge of the National Grid, for example, looked to be a pretty worried individual when he had to make sure he could generate enough juice to boil millions of kettles for a post-Eastenders cuppa.

ŠPerched high above a major motorway interchange, we were also able to see how “phantom” traffic jams form.

ŠNot many people make much money Šfrom being sat stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.Š On the contrary, Šjams cost peopleŠ and businesses money.

ŠAs Britain from Above considered how our major routes Šare coping with congestion,ŠI found myself thinking of the Pier Head.

If you've not been down there recently, you may need a map when you return.Š

ŠDevelopments like the Arena, new hotels, museum and the new ferry terminal have risen high above the ground. But it's a big development that is partly underground whichŠI found myself thinking of during the AndrewŠMarr programme.

ŠIt's the extension to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

ŠBy coincidence, or maybe not, a Sunday newspaper reported that Britain's waterways are on the brink of an astonishing revival as Šroad congestion, fuel costs and environmental pressures force us to review our transport Špolicy and provision.

ŠHow much freight, I wonder, is currentlyŠ hauled between Liverpool and Leeds via the M62? How much of it could be transported by canal in a cheaper and greener transport solution?

ŠTesco turned heads when they decided Što shift large quantities of wine by barge to a bottling plant in Greater Manchester.

ŠNow, the most famous name inŠ road haulage, Eddie Stobart, is also reported to be expanding its interest in waterway routes.

Our rivers and canals have already helped drive one indust- rial revolution that transformed our economic fortunes.

Who would bet against them making another significant contribution?

And when they do, we may even see the BBC’s new hit Britain from Above merge with Coast.

MATT JOHNSON is chairman of Mando Group