Impact of the Railways

Impact of the Railways

1. Social Impacts

   • Fresh foods were brought daily to the towns and cities.
   • Growth of Suburbia i.e. communities on the outskirts of towns.
   • Standard time was introduced throughout Britain.
   • Growth of tourist resorts and holidays based on rail.
   • Football fans could now go to away matches.
   • People could take day trips to the seaside.
   • Speeded up movement of people moving from the countryside to cities.
   • Many people could live outside cities and commune to work.

2. Economic Impacts

   • Bulky goods like iron and coal could be transported quicker and cheaper than by canal.
   • Farmers found a market for their fresh produce in towns.
   • Trawlers in Aberdeen could find a catch and the next day it would be in London.
   • Newspapers could reach the whole country in the day they were published.
   • The railway industry needed huge amount of iron, steel and coal.
   • The railway industry was a major employer.