British Waterways plans to grow more food alongside canals

An artist’s impression of a canal boat being used to grow food. Photograph: British Waterways.

Feb 19, 2009
BYM News

British Waterways’ Chairman, Tony Hales said: ‘British Waterways is very excited to be part of the Capital Growth project. The 100-miles of canals and rivers we care for in London provide a green corridor through the city, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the streets.  We are working with Capital Growth to identify any suitable pockets of land along London’s waterways that we or others might not be using, and matching them up with local groups and schools looking to grow their own food. 

‘We are also looking into more creative options, such as giving a new lease of life to some of our retired workboats, saving them from the breaker’s yard and converting them into floating vegetable gardens, moveable feasts that could provide growing opportunities in even the most built-up of areas. 

‘If these schemes are successful then there is no reason why we couldn’t repeat them elsewhere in the UK along the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in our care as part of a wider initiative to encourage communities to make greater use of their waterways. Our network already attracts 11 million visitors each year and hopefully this scheme will encourage even more people to get a taste for the canals.’

See complete article here. UK. Capital Growth welcomes British Waterways on board to grow food on London’s canals.