Friday, April 24, 2009

London's canal system



Question:

What industries relied most heavily on the London canal system in the past and what do these industries rely on now for transport?

Hypothesis:

I think the London canal system was used by many industries, particularly those that needed to transport large loads such as steel mills.

Answer:

While London has developed canal system, canals were far less integral to early industry within the city than they were in more remote locations. This is because London’s primary industries relied heavily on the massive ports of London instead of the canal system. Industry in London took place almost solely on the banks of the Themes and closely surrounding area, therefore transport to more remote regions of the city was often irrelevant.

Many industries did use the canals to deliver goods out of the city though. Particularly between the time that roads were too difficult to traverse and the rail network had not been developed. Early roads were often undeveloped and difficult to navigate, loads pulled by teams of horses often took a long time to deliver limited goods. Any industry that had to transport large or heavy loads out of the city would have used the canal system at its peak. Some early industries that relied heavily on the canal system in Brittan were the coal, iron ore, and pottery industries. Goods needed to be delivered throughout the country and the canal system was the often most efficient means because of the ability to carry up to 30 tons per boat.

As time went on and London grew, quicker transportation was needed and the rail network became the widespread form of transportation within the city. Many of the canals were eventually bought out by rail companies but were still relied on for transport through the 1800’s. Sadly, by the end of the 1940’s few industries relied on the canals for transport, the end of the Second World War saw Brittan’s vast road and rail networks almost completely replaced the canals for commercial transport. The last commercial transportation contract (for a jam factory) expired in the 1970’s.

Today the canals are used almost entirely for recreational purposes. The vast network of canals throughout Brittan provides scenic traveling through the countryside and a large group of dedicated individuals work to maintain the canals for these purposes. Today the canals throughout Brittan are thriving and there are more boats on the waterways than there were at the peak of the commercialized canal system.

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