Page:The Canal System of England.djvu/31

 The Aire and Calder is one of the most successful of our barge Canals, both as a Carrier and a Toll-taker. Excluding the Manchester Ship Canal—the revenue per mile of the Aire and Calder Navigation, from freights as Carriers and from tolls, averages double that of any other English Waterway; and it is this Navigation which has the lowest freight rates in the kingdom. Surely no further demonstration is necessary that where a Canal is kept up to modern requirements not only does its traffic increase but a diminution in freight rates results.

The Don Navigation forms the sole connection by water between Sheffield and the Humber. It only accommodates barges under 6 feet draught and was formerly owned by a Railway Company. In 1894 this waterway was purchased by the Sheffield and S. Yorkshire Navigation. It forms the central section of three canals in this route, the other two being the Sheffield Canal and the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. Brought up to date, this Navigation would be of enormous value to Sheffield.

The Ouse Navigation is an independent waterway, connecting York with Goole and the Humber.

The Trent Navigation is an independent Navigable River which derives 90% of its Revenue from Carrying Freights and only 10% from Tolls. It forms with the Loughborough and Leicester Navigations and the Grand Junction Canal a through-route from the Humber to the Thames.