It is not very well known that the Department for Transport has a system of operating subsidies for inland waterways. Take-up of the grants has been very poor, probably because the grants are difficult to apply for and impose inflexible timescales. Shippers who want to put their freight on the waterways also face opposition from regional bodies, planning departments and development agencies who have been inflexible in their approach to allowing waterside industrial development. The Department of Transport is to make the scheme more flexible in an attempt to encourage more applications.