LC: To use research and enquiry to investigate the significant changes to transport during the Industrial Revolution
Whilst you are watching the following video, take notes about the issues of moving goods such as cotton and coal around the north of England. What was the problem?
During the Industrial Revolution, canals played a key role in transporting goods, but they also had several problems. Here are some issues explained:
Slow Transport Canals were very slow; the barges were pulled by horses walking along the towpaths. This meant it could take a long time to deliver goods.
Expensive to Build Digging canals was very costly and took a long time. Builders had to dig by hand and sometimes create locks to deal with hills, which made it harder.
Weather Problems In winter, canals could freeze, stopping boats from moving. In summer, if the water level dropped too low, boats could get stuck.
Limited Routes Canals could only go where there was water and flat land. Hilly or rocky areas were difficult to build through, which made canals less useful in some places.
Maintenance Issues Canals needed constant repairs to stop leaks and keep the water flowing, which was expensive and time-consuming.
Not Enough Speed for Growth As industries grew, factories needed faster and larger deliveries. Canals couldn't keep up with the increasing demand.
Despite these problems, canals were still very important for trade and helped Britain during the early Industrial Revolution!
