INDUSTRIAL LOCATION … change over time

A look at the British Iron and steel industry…

p.328/329

Certain industries change their location when the reason for setting up in the first place in a specific location no longer remains. An example is the British Iron and steel industrywhich has moved several times for different reasons.

  1. 18th Century Britain – Iron works located close to the forests which were a source of power in the production of ‘pig iron.’ i.e. the industry was resource-based.
  1. During the late 18th century the industry relocated nearer coalfields. The canal system in Britain was used to transport raw materials used in the process (i.e. iron ore & limestone) and from 1830 the rail system became more important.
  1. The coalfields held their grip on the iron and steel industry until the mid 20th century when coal started to run out. Closures were forced and many people became unemployed – this was devastating to the mining villages and there were many strikes. (1980’s)At this point the ports were developed to import cheaper coal from abroad e.g. Poland, also the coalfields were becoming exhausted.

INDUSTRIAL INERTIA.

In some instances industry has remained in locations even when the reason for locating there in the first place no longer exists. This is called INDUSTRIAL INERTIA. This has occurred in the case of Sheffield Steel, an industrial area in the heartland of the UK. The reasons for this are many.

p.330 – read

Why Sheffield Steel remains….

  1. Tradition – ‘steel in their blood’
  2. A skilled workforce.
  3. A high quality product. e.g. knives and forks, surgical instruments. A niche market.
  4. Government grants and subsidies.
  5. A high tech process that is able to compete with the best in the world.
  6. Good infrastructure in the area.
  7. Geographical – centre of the UK.
  8. Increased demand for ‘British Steel.’

Do Ex. 11.4 p.110/111 in the w/b.