Transport in the UK

Glasgow is a big, busy city – cars, buses, trains, planes; people go about their business using all kinds of ‘transport’.

Hi, I’m Jude. I’ve taken the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow to learn all about transport. Once upon a time, humans could only go as fast as a horse could take them.

But thanks to incredible developments in technology, transport has totally changed. Towns and cities have to be built and redeveloped in clever ways to cope with them all, let’s investigate…

A big chunk of Glasgow is designed in a rare way for the UK. Spreading westwards from George Square, which is where I’m stood, the city is built on a grid system.

What that means is, the roads are all straight lines that meet at regular points. Looking at a map, you can see the roads form neat squares, called grids.

Much of the UK was built before there were a lot of transport options, when people travelled on foot and by horse. So most towns and cities have bendy road systems.

But the west part of Glasgow was developed around 200 years ago, which isn’t that long when you remember that the UK has had cities for thousands of years! Planners thought it would be easier for people to find their way around on a grid system with straighter roads.

Glasgow’s population was growing quickly in the 1800s, so more roads were needed for everyone to get to where they were going.

Trains were soon invented and not long after that, cars. But, at George Square, they’re planning to reduce the amount of cars and pedestrianise the area.

That means they want it to only be accessible to pedestrians, which is what you call people on foot. The only other vehicles allowed will be public transport - no one can bring their own vehicle.

It’s one of many green initiatives to help reduce pollution, which is mainly caused by petrol-powered vehicles.

Glasgow and other cities like London have initiatives where people pay higher fees if they have a petrol-powered car.

In contrast to Glasgow, London hasn’t been designed on a grid system because it’s much older. It’s also much bigger. But most of its transport options are public or powered by electricity, which is to help reduce petrol-powered vehicles that cause pollution.

Glasgow has a subway, but London’s underground train system has hundreds more stations. It transports millions of people every day.

London has a lot of cycle lanes to encourage people to ride bikes instead of using vehicles. People can also rent scooters that run on electricity and recharge other vehicles, like electric cars, at electric charging stations.

It is one of a few places in the UK to have a tram system; trams also run on electricity.

Where do you live, and what kinds of transport do you use to get around? Which reminds me, I’m late for the train back to Edinburgh!