20 October 2004
British Waterways will be teaming up with a major Birmingham recycling company this Friday, 22 October, to show other local business the benefits of using the canal network to move their goods.
In their heyday, canals in Birmingham and the Black Country were the equivalent of today's motorways, and were used as the main transport route for businesses. In recent years they have instead become venues for leisure, but West Midlands Waterways is now keen to raise awareness of the benefits they could still offer for companies in transporting freight.
They have joined forces with Brumcan, the Birmingham based community recycling business, for 'The Big Recycle' and will be moving waste textiles by boat from Brumcan's headquarters in Saltley along the Birmingham Mainline Canal to Black Country Rags in Greets Green. The boat, named Aurega, will then be delivering glass to Birmingham's waste transfer station at Lifford Lane. Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council Councillor John Hemming will also be at the site to see the unloading taking place.
Roger Herrington, general manager for West Midlands Waterways said it will be the ideal opportunity for the local business community to think about how the canals could benefit them. "Over short distances and with non-time sensitive products, we believe moving freight by canal could be a very competitive option for companies in Birmingham and the Black Country," he said. "It could also contribute in a very positive way towards reducing road congestion as well as reducing noise and other negative elements associated with road transport. We do not want freight to take over from our primary business of leisure, but we do think it could work very well alongside it. Brumcan will be moving their waste on a trial basis but we if it as successful as we hope it will be, there is a possibility it could become a regular contract."
Lorna Langdon, general manager of Brumcan said they are very excited to be involved in the scheme. "Brumcan strives to improve the environment and create new jobs through recycling. This exciting pilot project will prove that by using our local resources more intelligently, both of these aims can be achieved."
PHOTOCALL
Members of the press are invited to go along to Lifford Lane Household Recycling Plant canal-side wharf located in Tunnel Lane, Stirchley at 1.30pm to see the boat being unloaded. (A-Z map location is PP146 3D by the 'swing bridge'). In attendance will be Councillor John Hemming, Roger Herrington, general manager at British Waterways, Lorna Langdon, general manager for Brumcan, and Claire Atkins, recycling co-ordinator for Brumcan.
For further details please contact British Waterways' Communications Executive Laura Mackin on 07884 238 644.
Notes to Editors
British Waterways cares for and maintains the nation's 2,000 mile network of canals and inland waterways, working in partnership with private companies, local authorities, voluntary groups and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.
Brumcan is a leading community recycling charity, providing innovative and unique recycling services across Birmingham and Solihull. Established in 1991 by Friends of the Earth and CSV Environment, Brumcan integrates environmental education with community outreach and practical recycling activities. All profits are ploughed back into educational works. For more information about the organisation please see our website www.brumcan.co.uk or contact Lorna Langdon, General Manager on 0121 326 3061 (day) or lorna@brumcan.co.uk . |
