ONE of the biggest river vessels to ever sail into York could prove a saviour to thousands of motorists across the region.

The Inland Navigator barge is seen as the answer to a massive problem - how to get a gigantic electricity transformer to a substation off the A1079 at Osbaldwick, without causing road chaos.

The 44-metre-long vessel was sailed along the River Ouse yesterday and docked at Marygate to prove to City of York Council chiefs that the method was viable.

The transformer would previously have been routed from Goole via the motorway and trunk road network - causing significant delays.

But there could still be a little local difficulty, as the last section of the journey from Marygate to Osbaldwick cannot be done on water.

Peter Evely, City of York Council's highways chief, said: "There is a need for an absolutely gigantic transformer to go into the substation.

"The Government are not keen on something of that size coming up the road as it would cause significant difficulties on the motorways. It would take up two lanes of traffic.

"Our current plan is to explore the use of Marygate Landing."

Mr Evely said the tricky part of the operation would be getting the transformer from the river to Osbaldwick.

The Inland Navigator was specially-converted to carry loads of up to 400 tonnes by Stafford-based Robert Wynn and Sons, which received a £9 million Government grant to facilitate the transportation of large loads along Britain's waterways.

Company spokesman Tim West said: "The barge would relieve significant increased congestion on days when such loads are moved.

"This operation highlights the potential of the Ouse and hopefully can be a catalyst for positive discussions to begin with all local stakeholders such as the council, British Waterways and industry to put together a strategy for the greater utilisation of the river for the carriage of freight."

Mr Evely added: "We do encourage the maximum use of non-road transportation methods.

"At one stage in the sixteenth century, rivers and seaways were the only ways in which the country could work because the roads were so bad."

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, September 30, 2003