ABSTRACT
Throughout the nineteenth century London was the focal point of the UK transport system, and, through its port, a centre of international trade. As transportation facilities improved, the capital’s links were strengthened to even the most distant parts of the country. Both people and goods could move further, more quickly and at far less cost than in previous centuries. This helped to complete the formation of a national market for many goods and services – a characteristic that was vitally important for the development of metropolitan industries. Better communications also helped to make regional labour markets more competitive, because it was easier to migrate from one place to another. This was a factor encouraging greater regional convergence of wage rates in particular trades.
