Britain Invented the Metro - So Why Did It Stop?
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Britain Invented the Metro - So Why Did It Stop?
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About this listen
The UK was the birthplace of the underground railway, with London’s Tube setting the global standard. So why do so few British cities have metro systems today?
In this episode of Ye Olde Guide, Liam McGrath and Daniel Gooch take a break from city guides to explore the curious case of Britain’s missing metros. From the legacy of Victorian railways and trams to post-war car-centric planning, we unpack the historical, urban, and political reasons why cities like Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester never got the metro systems their European counterparts enjoy.
We also look at the cost crisis facing modern transit projects, the economic consequences of limited urban rail, and what the future might hold for public transport in the UK.
Featuring listener feedback, historical insights, and a dash of urbanist frustration—this is one for train lovers, city nerds, and anyone wondering why Britain stopped building underground rail.
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