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Water-freight operators have condemned what they claim is a watering down of the government's policy to move large, abnormal freight loads by canal in favour of using road haulage. Canal lobby group the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) claims a recent Highways Agency (HA) consultation to clarify the 'water preferred'  guidelines contradicts the government's environmental priorities. It is concerned that the government is attempting to move away from favouring water freight "by stealth" if the cost mounts up.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) disagrees, arguing that any move to increase congestion on the roads would not be not in the HA's interests. The consultation asked interested parties if it is appropriate to allow a road move if the costs of travelling by water exceeds 20% of the value of the load. It also asks if the threshold applied should vary, depending on road mileage difference between road and water options.

The Commercial Boat Operators' Association (CBOA) says this is evidence that the criterion for permitting the use of roads is being relaxed. It claims the government would show preference for road haulage  even if the cost is also more than 20% of the load value. CBOA chairman John Dodwell says: "Slow moving, long articulated lorries taking up more than half the road width cause significant delay and frustration to motorists this is unnecessary when an alternative already exists. We shall be asking for a meeting with government officials to expand on our views."

FTA regional policy manager James Firth says the HA's criteria is not clear and he questions the costs, but adds: "I don't think that you could argue the government is trying to encourage freight onto road." A Department for Transport spokesman says: "The consultation is not intended to review the water preferred policy but is aimed at clarifying how the policy is applied and to provide greater transparency of the decision making process."