Question

What were the relative advantages of canal and railway transportation?

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question can be approached in the following way:

1. Explain the need for new means of transportation.
2. Mention the impacts of canals.
   • On resources.
   • On time of transportation.
3. Mention the impacts of railways.
   • On time of transportation.
   • On availability.

Solution:

• After the first phase of the industrialisation, the production and the demand for raw materials increased due to which different means of transportation like canals and railways were introduced.
• The first canal was built by James Brindley which eventually led to a decrease in the cost of transportation of coal.
• After the introduction of canals the transportation became faster and the prices of coal dropped significantly.
• The introduction of railways in 1814 further decreased the cost of transportation and made it easier to transport heavy goods over a long distance.
• The use of railways also made it possible to continuously transport goods irrespective of the season.