Broad Waterways 1960 from the Trent Vale Partnership

This is an edited version of a film made in 1960 to show how British Waterways were upgrading their broad waterways for more commercial traffic. At that time the container revolution had not really started, but within ten years container ports including inland container ports enabled goods to tranship quickly and without all the handling shown here.
In 1960 coal accounted for half the tonnage shipped on our waterways. But tyranny of coal, which had driven our industrial revolution, was almost over and although some oil and gas still goes by barge it can also use pipelines, railways and roads.
So what has happened to our Broad Waterways such as the River Trent, featured in this film? There is still some commercial traffic, mainly aggregates, but much of he Trent is now used by pleasure craft , fishermen and folk who like the peace of walking besides the river, either with or without their dogs. But there is more to be had from the River, once the central focus of the communities along it. Find out more by visiting the Trent Vale Partnership web site at trentvale.wordpress.com/
The full length version of Broad Waterways can be downloaded as an mp4 file at
video.eavb.co.uk/

[@mathewgreen4099]

I’ve watched this film a number of times and it never loses its charm. Many thanks for posting.

[@MrAustruck]

What a great time to live and work in the UK , i wish i lived then ,

[@mozdickson]

Magnificently filmed, sound edited, scripted and soundtracked. Historical artifact of the highest order. Men were fit and thin. You can see the productivity, but you can also see that containerisation would vastly lift productivity and lessen handling and manpower. Take my hat off to these blokes, men who knew WW2

[@davidmclellan5438]

Great film thanks for posting shame those days are gone where i live the inland harbour at perth is being closed because they won't dredged it because of environmental reasons 😢

[@eddiejackson6463]

i sailed this barge from goole to immingham docks when humber work boats bought it

[@derrickmurphy9874]

Is this mid sixties early 70s.??

[@derrickmurphy9874]

Amazing to think that this is not that long ago.we have come a long way since this.

[@servicarrider]

You gotta love this stuff.

[@alfonsstevens1250]

Als binnenschipper met pensioen prachtig om te zien

[@sleddy12345]

'Lovely stuff"

[@TheDAT9]

You are lucky if you see the odd pleasure boat on the Trent now.

[@eddiejackson6463]

would love to see this film all the way from start to finnish

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting

[@TheWizardGamez]

The UK used to have such a cool river culture. let alone a cool canal culture. its really cool, hope someday it'll be back

[@fettlerjohn3419]

Lovely to see 🤔

[@markuswanske8371]

Great .

[@jungsomewhat]

Enjoyed that.... They dont make um how they used to..😄

[@deezynar]

Shipping containers changed all of this.

[@GOLDSMITHEXILE]

just like every "development" by the world wide corporatist bankers, calculated to make bigger faster profit with less investment in jobs.

[@davids8449]

A time when the Canal was used in practical way ....Not just to carry flesh round on holiday arguing saying....That is mine I was here first