On Friday 5 June a new lock was opened in London at Bromley-by-Bow. Funded by a combination of public bodies, the lock will allow freight to be carried on the network of waterways which surround the Olympic park in East London. Barges of up to 350 tonnes will be accommodated, which is the equivalent of taking seventeen freight lorries off the roads. During the preparation for the Olympic Games the waterways will manly be used to carry construction materials, but it is hoped that this opening up of the canals and waterways will leave a lasting legacy for freight and logistics operators in the London region. Taking freight off the roads will allow a smoother flow of traffic on the roads and reduce CO2 output.