Northumbria Peace at last

The main strand of Northumbrian history now becomes the story of the industrial revolution. Swift growth during the 19th century followed by gradual decline during the 20th. The four primary industries were coal mining, lead mining, shipbuilding, and iron and steel working.

Coal mining was the most important of these. The invention of coal driven steam engines encouraged local landowners to start large scale extraction of the extensive coal deposits around the area. At first the coal was transported on wagons along wagonways, but soon these were given wooden tracks, which would eventually be turned to steel and spawn the railway network. The first wooden tracked wagonway was built in Newcastle.

In the dales of the Pennines lead mining was more prominent. The are hundreds of small lead mineshafts dotted throughout the countryside which were once a flourishing industry. Killhope lead mine is a good example. Meanwhile the discovery of ironstone in the Cleveland hills in the mid 19th century generated a healthy iron mining industry and was responsible for the rise of Middlesbrough.

With so much bulky and heavy material to be exported its no surprise that local businessmen turned to shipbuilding. With Britain's expanding empire in its heydey, this proved to be a successful venture. Indeed, at one time the North East produced almost half of the world's ships. As the industrial revolution soaked up the local population more people were attracted in from outside. Large areas of low cost housing were quickly built to accommodate them, and these towns, or their 20th century equivalents are the legacy of that boom period. Unfortunately the boom was destined to decline. Coal power was replaced by other fuels, and the lead and iron mines eventually became depleted. The shipbuilding industry fared better for a while, but faced strong competition from developing nations overseas who had cheaper workforces and were able to steal much of the business.

Now, Northumbria is regenerating itself through a new and much more diverse infrastructure. Attracting modern industry through improved transport links, its still strong ports, and the availability of a skilled workforce. With the years of fighting and violence behind it, the atmosphere now is divided between the tranquillity and beauty of the heather-covered moorlands and the excitement of the ever-evolving city.