The terms “infrastructure” refers to the basic systems in a community or country that are in place to maintain order and an acceptable quality of life. These include the transportation amenities, utilities, sewage and so on. The more developed a country is, the better its infrastructure and vice versa.
In England, the Department for Transport is responsible for the entire country’s transportation issues and development.
Double Decker bus outside Houses of Parliament,London, UK.
Although there are many major roadways in England, the following are some of the most significant:
•The A1 Great North Road (which stretches all the way between London and Newcastle)
•The M6 (the longest road in England, from Rugby to the border between England and Scotland)
•The M1 (London to Leeds)
•The M25 (encircling London)
•The M6 (around Manchester)
•The M4 (London to South Wales)
•The M62 (Liverpool to Manchester)
•The M5 (from Birmingham to Bristol)
Those who live and work in England make extensive use of its public transport systems. Busses transport millions of people each day, as do the underground and over-ground rail networks and the trams.The rail transport system dates back to 1825.As such, it was the first of its kind, pioneering public transport for other countries around the globe. With more than 16 000 kilometres of rail, this network’s coverage of the country is extensive, particularly within urban, industrial and suburban areas. In 1994, an undersea rail link was built between England, France and Belgium.
The tram system has regained popularity in recent years, after having experienced a slump between the years of 1950 and about 2000. Examples of tram or light railway systems in England include Docklands Light Railway, Sheffield Supertram and Midland Metro.
England is particularly well known for its largest and busiest airport, London Heathrow. This massive epicentre of the local infrastructure has more international passenger traffic than any other airport anywhere in the world. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in existence. Other major airports in England include Gatwick, London Stansted, Luton and Birmingham International.
The sea and inland rivers also play an important part in the transport and, therefore, overall infrastructure of England. In fact, there are about 7100 kilometres of navigable water in the country, including the Thames, Tyne and Mersey rivers.
The National Health System, known as the NHS, is another critical facet in the country’s infrastructure. The NHS provides most of the healthcare in England and is funded by the public. This healthcare system, which dates back to 1948, provides most medical services at no charge, with small costs in the areas of dental care, eye tests, etc...It is ultimately run by the Department of Health, but the private sector plays a more and more important role in its services and success.
A country cannot progress or develop without a good and ever-evolving infrastructure, as this determines accessibility and the superior quality of life (of opportunity for such) of its inhabitants. Therefore, England’s world-class infrastructure displays its prominence in the global arena.
For more information, please view: http://www.dft.gov.uk/