Cash will help utilise the forgotten canal routes (From Ealing Times)

Cash will help utilise the forgotten canal routes

9:33am Wednesday 25th May 2005 in News By Ushma Mistry

BRITISH Waterways and Transport for London have jointly pledged over £1.6million as part of an initiative to revive commercial traffic on west London's canals.

The funding, which includes £750,000 from TfL and £850,000 from BW, will go towards a number of key infrastructure projects and is part of a wider strategy to create an environmentally sustainable and congestion-busting alternative to road haulage.

The works are being prioritised to support initiatives to transfer construction materials and waste by barge and include a new canal turning point, or "winding hole", at Stockley Park, near West Drayton increasing efficiency for both new and existing freight contracts at a cost of £106,000.

There are also plans for a new canal wharf at Willesden Junction, dredging bridge holes and a major study by Peter Brett Associates on the freight potential of west London's canal network.

Peter Hendy, director of surface transport for TfL, said: "Although enjoyed by millions for leisure, London's waterway network has been a vastly under-used commodity for many years and, like much of the rest of the UK transport network, has suffered from under-investment.

"TfL, in partnership with British Waterways, is hoping to demonstrate the potential for transporting freight around the capital, taking some of the pressure off the hard-pressed road and rail networks."

Mark Bensted, British Waterways' director for London, added: "Waterways are playing an increasingly important part in the life of the capital.

"They are a tourist attraction and community resource, a focus for regeneration and a valuable wildlife habitat.

"We believe they also have the potential to work for their original purpose and offer a quieter, cleaner and more fuel efficient alternative to road haulage.

"We are delighted to be working with Transport for London on this exciting initiative.

"With their support, and with the help of our other partners, we believe that we are one step closer to turning this dream into a reality."