with the crucial "feeding" branch lines running into them
How the UK lost out by abondoning its railway development advantage! 
Time for a major re-think, with fuel prices, road congestion, the European link and an ever aging population who will not be able to drive for ever, to be taken into account. We should again have the advantages of a fine, widespread railway system, but one catering for the 21st century.
Forget fuel blockades, this is what we should protest for!8-) 8-) 
Yet again I find myself in agreement with you Lizzie - even with the dreaded 'European link'.
I think the 'European link' would make an ideal test bed for large cans of expanding foam. 
Having been stranded by it once - never again.
As to railways, I think we've missed the boat. Had they grown with the vast development of conurbations that has taken place since Beeching's time, as they have in other countries, they may have been viable, but threading railways back into the suburbs and modern towns would be an impossible task, and if you can't walk or cycle to a station, that gets you in the right direction*, it may as well not be there.
* - i.e. not just towards or away from London - London is an irrelevance to most commuters.
Kevin
Yes, I certainly agree with that analysis K and no doubt, as Lizzie says, it would require a major rethink of the strategic transport network but to try and carry on as we are isn't a viable option as far as I can see.
The weakest link always seems to be the journey from home to the first point of public transport (for anything beyond very local journeys) - should this require a car then perhaps enhanced parking facilities should be installed at local feeder points where the traveller can be then taken on to major hubs if necessary.
It would seem sensible to try to reduce the amount of road traffic we are likely to see in the coming years but this should be done by making the alternative attractive, convenient and above all affordable, not by pricing road traffic from the roads.
Indeed ZL! When I say major I really do mean major, and massive investment to follow, with no holds barred! It would take real commitment and dedication by the politicians to make it happen, with a very brave approach
I see it on a par with the great Victorian railway projects and their absolute commitment to make it happen, something that built the Empire and is so often seen by many, especially on the OOF, to be missing in modern Britain.
Kevin of course makes some very valid points, especially the one of the UK "missing the boat" and not keeping the railway development in pace with population spread and conurbations. He is also right about the hard task of driving new railways through the urban suburbs. However, that is not an "impossible task" as Kevin suggests. Very difficult and expensive yes, but not impossible.
The Victorian engineers managed such a task, although admittedly far more 'empty space' existed for their building. But the modern motorway builders have pushed their roads through whole cities, one example being the M5 and M6 through Birmingham. In addition modern railway construction techniquies and accepted practice have developed so that major lines are 'cut and buried', put into very long tunnels under urban areas, or simply placed on long viaducts, for example with the HS1 line through Kent, under/ into East London to St.Pancras. The cross London link is also adopting the same principles.
It is not generally recognised but a double stretch of track takes up less room than a three lane motorway. Tram ways would take up even less room, so they could radiate out from the main line stations to the various suburbs, going along old track bed plus existing road space. I believe Manchester, to name one city in this country, has such a system, as does Croydon in a far smaller way. Many foreign cites of course have never lost they faith in trams, and they are widespread!! 
With Victorian type commitment, passion and entrepreneurship, coupled to 21st century construction skills, with 100 of billions of pounds spent, which will have to be found if we are going to advance a modern integrated transport system, plus that magic ingredient of POLITICAL WILL, it CAN be done!
PS If our country does not bite the bullet on this now, then in 25 years time motorists will be complaining about impossible traffic conditions and fuel prices of £30 a gallon, with no alternative available!! 
but surely that just reiterates what i have said? trains are not good enough and probably never will be, society is built up the use of the motor car giving the personal freedom and choice of where to work and shop, such a high taxation rate ends this choice and leads to people spending less!! bring the tax down!!
How does my piece do that O?
As for society and the motor car that has only really happened post 1955, and there is no
long term future for a metal cage that takes up large amounts of road / land space, on eventually hopelessly congested roads, in a country that will have 80 million people, 10% over 100 years of age, with fuel at prohibitive prices, and using 20th century technology. The then modern world will need a fast, large mass transport system, with very high speed railways at its core O
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Topic: should there be another fuel blockade (Read 9686 times)