Transport is key to the development of the UK's economy. The UK has undergone investment into many different types of transport in recent years.
Roads
Example: The South-West Super Highway This is along the A303 which is a road that can become very heavily congested. The new plan will cost £2 billion and will see the whole stretch turned into dual carriageway and a tunnel built beneath Stonehenge! Ports
The UK has the largest port industry in Europe.
Dover is the main point for ferries and Felixstowe was the UK's largest container port. Investment has been extensive:
Example: Liverpool2 A new container port is being constructed in Liverpool called Liverpool2 which will cost £300 million. The port will double Liverpool's capacity to 1.5 million containers a year. It will create thousands of jobs, boost the economy in the north-west of England and it will reduce the freight traffic on roads. |
Rail links
Investment here will improve connections throughout the UK and also into Europe.
Example: London's Crossrail A new rail line that links Reading (to the west of London) to Abbey Wood (to the east of London) which will be completed in 2018 and will cost £14.8 billion It will be bring 1.5 million people within 45 minutes of London which will reduce commuting time and increase the amount of people available to work and spend in London. It will also improve journey times and reduce congestion on the roads. Airports
Airports create vital global links. The aviation sector employs 300,000 people and contribute 3.6% of the UK's GDP. 750,000 international flights depart from the UK every year to 114 countries.
Example: Expanding London's airports Many options have been discussed due to the need to improve London's airport capacity. The most recent recommendation made in 2012 was to either:
A report in 2015 recommended the new runway at Heathrow but the final decision has not been made. It is predicted that it would create more jobs and make more money for the UK. But people living locally are concerned about the increased noise pollution. |