Transport in Britain 1750-1850

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the economic state of Britain and its transport system have always been closely related and how changes in one suggested a change in the other. While the expansion of the British economy from 1750 onwards held both social and political implications, modifications in transport influenced the developments of agriculture, the growth of markets and the increased importance of industry. In particular, it explores how the importance of road and shipping changes between 1750 and 1850 are far overshadowed by the development of both canals and railways.

From the Paper:

"Industry benefited greatly from rail transport. Coal and other raw materials could be transported quickly and at low costs form all locations and agricultural products could reach new markets on a daily basis. "Regional specialization and concentration of industry" was certainly lessened yet it must be remembered that the main industrial areas of Britain had already been established by canals. Thus whilst the actual locations of commerce existed, the form and efficiency of industry was revolutionised. Canals, with both their routes and locations, gave rise to the idea of an industrialised Britain yet the railways made it possible. The railway idea took time however, and before 1850 the impact of the railways was far from established."

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