manchester mancunians expats
Friday, 5th December 2003
Transport, then and nowIN the 21st Century millions of people fly from Manchester Airport to destinations all over the world. Car ownership ushered in one of the biggest social revolutions in history.
But 150 years ago aircraft and cars were figments of science fiction, had such a genre existed.
But the era of train travel was about to enter its golden age. Since George Stephenson’s Rocket pioneered passenger rail travel on the Liverpool & Manchester in 1830, tracks were being laid all over Britain at a staggering rate and by 1853 there were more than 100m train passengers a year.
Cheap tickets brought exotic destinations like North Wales, Blackpool and the Lake District within range. But most people still had to be content with spending leisure time – such as it was – walking to open fields on the edge of town. Canal boat rides to Dunham Park were favourite outings and the yen for fresh air and open space had led to the opening of Peel Park, Queen’s Park and Philips Park close to the city centre.
They were the first municipal parks in the UK, though the air was seldom fresh and pollution from local factories stunted the growth of the plants.
|
Current Top Stories
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Set up your own expat page or submit comments to the expat message board.
Information to help you get the most out of your visit to Manchester.
Check out this selection of photographs from the M.E.N.
Compare prices and buy a wide range of products in the Manchester Online shop.
Order your copy of the M.E.N or one of our other publications here.
See readers' letters to the M.E.N. and send your own here.
Try and track down your long lost friends or relatives with this free service.
|
