Barge operator wins long-running battle with Canal & River Trust over taking freight to Leeds wharf

One of the country's oldest barge operators has finally won his battle to be allowed to take freight to a wharf in Leeds.
Barge operator John BranfordBarge operator John Branford
Barge operator John Branford

John Branford, 75, from Goole, has been trying since last autumn to get an agreement with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) to carry sand from Hull via the Aire and Calder Navigation to Knostrop Wharf.

The fifth generation barge operator and Hull-based AC Marine Aggregates invested a six-figure sum in preparations, including £100,000 on a quayside crane.

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In March the CRT said they were “close to a final agreement”, while chief executive Richard Parry assured Goole MP Andrew Percy in a letter that they supported sending freight from the Humber to Leeds and hoped to make a decision “in the next few weeks”.

Branford Barge Owner's Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation loaded with aggregates for Lafarges Whitwood Depot Picture: Maik BrownBranford Barge Owner's Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation loaded with aggregates for Lafarges Whitwood Depot Picture: Maik Brown
Branford Barge Owner's Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation loaded with aggregates for Lafarges Whitwood Depot Picture: Maik Brown

Last Thursday Mr Percy wrote again to Mr Parry to express his disappointment at the delay.

The MP said: "We are all keen to ensure that the canal is brought back to life for commercial benefit, to support jobs in Goole and also to support the environment, because moving goods by canal is much greener than road haulage.

"The reason Goole exists is because of this canal. It is the heritage and blood of the town and we want this canal to be successful."

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The Branford family was operating barges before the Aire and Calder Navigation was built in 1823.

Branford Barge Owners Farndale H having unloaded at Lafarges Whitwood Depot , just about to pass a loaded Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation Picture: Maik BrownBranford Barge Owners Farndale H having unloaded at Lafarges Whitwood Depot , just about to pass a loaded Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation Picture: Maik Brown
Branford Barge Owners Farndale H having unloaded at Lafarges Whitwood Depot , just about to pass a loaded Humber Renown on the River Calder section of the Aire and Calder Navigation Picture: Maik Brown

Mr Branford, who runs three ex-tanker dry cargo barges, said: "I am very grateful to Mr Percy for his help.

"I think they were hoping that we were just going to go away.

"Barbara Castle made the Aire and Calder a freight navigation in 1968, when there were easily 20 wharves.

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"But for the last seven years there hasn't been a single place to offload on a 36-mile stretch from Goole to Leeds.

"Knostrop is protected by law - you would think they would have welcomed us with open arms.

"We tick all the boxes - it is greener, cheaper and takes HGVs off the road."

Business development manager Maik Brown, from the Commercial Boat Operators Association, said it should prove a "win win" for the CRT, encouraging businesses to put freight onto barges, ahead of the development of the new wharf at Stourton, which should open in a couple of years time.

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He said: "It will be good PR for the CRT - it shows them in a good light re-energising an old wharf which has been dormant since the early 80s."

A spokesman for the CRT said the trust had to negotiate for an existing tenant at Knostrop to reduce the space let under their lease to make room for AC Aggregates.

He added: "This process was in train, but delayed due to complications around coronavirus – colleagues from the tenant company who needed to get to site in order to review the proposal and not being able to.

"We’re pleased to say that this has now been resolved, the site has been cleared ready for occupancy by AC Aggregates, and a draft lease sent over to them for review.

"All being well, the lease will be completed in the next few weeks and operations can get underway."

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