Transport sector shows signs of real green shoots

Transport could be the first sector to show signs of green shoots following the decision of rail companies to allow parts of their land to be used to cultivate fruit and vegetables.

As part of Capital Growth, a London-based project that aims to transform unused areas of the capital into allotments, transport chiefs are to release land beside over-ground Tube tracks and British Waterways has provided land beside canals and donated retired working boats for use as floating vegetable gardens.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Growing one’s own fruit and vegetables in this way addresses concerns about food prices, food miles and the environment.”

Just under one third of London’s total area is either green space or water. The aim is to create 2,012 such urban vegetable plots in time for the 2012 Olympics.