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<p>To increase the use of freight on our waterways the Government provides revenue
support through our Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight grants. We have
committed £20 million per year to 2024/25 to support rail and water freight services
on routes where they deliver environmental benefits over road haulage but are more
expensive to operate.</p><p>The cross-modal and long-term Future of Freight plan,
published on 15 June, sets out the Government’s objectives for a freight and logistics
sector that is efficient, reliable, resilient and sustainable. The plan explicitly
supports mode shift of freight from road to rail, inland waterways, coastal shipping
and new innovative modes such as e-cargo bikes. The plan also sets out how government
will raise the status of freight within the planning system, will develop with industry
a £7 million Freight Innovation Fund and will undertake work to develop a National
Freight Network. This work will support, and provide opportunities to increase the
use of, waterways for freight.</p><p>Upgrades of the waterways network in the UK are
the responsibility of the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which is sponsored by Defra.
The Department for Transport continues to work with Defra officials and the CRT to
ensure that freight is considered in the operation, maintenance and enhancement of
the UK’s waterways.</p><p>There are a wide range of navigation authorities that manage
inland waterways. These are either independent self-financing bodies such as port
authorities or are funded by other branches of government such as Defra.</p><p> </p><p>
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