Transportation via Canals: Past, present and future

The rise and fall in the popularity of Britainʹs inland-waterway system is described, along with the factors which influenced the use of British canals. Present trends in the development and use of large-scale US and European commercial waterway networks are analysed. Recommendations for the increased commercial use of Britainʹs current (and prospective future) inland-waterway network are presented; the aim being to make a contribution to an integrated, environmentally sustainable, nationwide British transport policy.