Transportation of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution saw a dramatic improvement in transport and communications.

This involved innovation, [capital investment: Putting money into a project.] and increased extent:

These were improved in the late 18th/early 19th centuries:

• Thomas Telford and John Macadam developed better roads, with firm foundations, drainage and a smooth surface.
• After 1750, Turnpike Trusts were set up to improve main roads, for which they charged a toll. In the early 1800s, investment in Britain's roads was more than £3 million a year.
• Between 1803 and 1821, Thomas Telford alone built 1000 miles of road, including 1000 bridges. His greatest achievement was the London‒Holyhead road (1815‒1826).

Canals

There was a boom in canal-building in the late 18th/early 19th centuries:

• Some people argue that the first modern canal was the Sankey Brook Navigation. Others say it was the Bridgewater Canal built by the Duke of Bridgewater in 1761.
• There was Canal Mania in the 1790s. About £20 million was invested in canal-building between 1755 and 1835. Famous canal-builders were James Brindley and Thomas Telford.
• By 1850, the canal network covered 4, 000 miles.

Railways

• The first railway was the Stockton and Darlington Railway (1825). George Stephenson built the Rocket (1829). Significant engineering achievements included the London Underground (1863) and the Forth Bridge (1890).
• There was a 'Railway Mania' in the 1840s. £3 billion was spent building the railways between 1845 and 1900.
• In 1870, 423 million passengers travelled on 16, 000 miles of line.

Timeline of events