Inland waterways play a much greater role in inland freight carrying in the United Kingdom than is generally realised. The purpose of this article is to show the extent of the underestimation of water transport and to outline the potential for future development and the problems which will have to be overcome to realise that potential.
Inland waterways were the first form of mass inland transport to be developed in the UK. In medieval times, rivers formed the main transport arteries of the interior of the country. The only alternative for the movement of goods in substantial quantities was sea transport. Roads were in a rudimentary state and, except over short distances, costs were high.