The Chester and Holyhead Railway and its political impact on North Wales and British policy towards Ireland, 1835-1900
This thesis presents a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between technology and politics, and then applies it to the use made of railways by successive British governments in their Irish policies between 1835 and 1850. It questions why the Chester and Holyhead Railway was chosen over its rivals in 1844, and what political influence government applied to ensure its success against a technically superior alternative. The thesis also examines the interaction between politics and technology between 1850 and 1900 in North Wales by assessing the political implications of the London and North Western Railway monopoly, including the Holyhead line. Uniquely, the study shows that successive governments between 1835 and 1850 included railways in their Irish policies, but did not achieve the required results. Politicians failed to implement the impressive 1839 Irish Railway Commission proposals, and then did not focus sufficiently on reducing journey time between London and Dublin. Government allowed regional and personal interests in Britain to guide its decision-making, rather than technical advice. Railways produced paradoxical political results in North Wales between 1850 and 1900. They assisted
Lloyd, Philip
The Chester and Holyhead Railway and its political impact on North Wales and British policy towards Ireland, 1835-1900. This thesis presents a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between technology and politics, and then applies it to the use made of railways by successive British governments in their Irish policies between 1835 and 1850. It questions why the Chester and Holyhead Railway was chosen over its rivals in 1844, and what political influence government applied to ensure its success against a technically superior alternative. The thesis also examines the interaction between politics and technology between 1850 and 1900 in North Wales by assessing the political implications of the London and North Western Railway monopoly, including the Holyhead line. Uniquely, the study shows that successive governments between 1835 and 1850 included railways in their Irish policies, but did not achieve the required results. Politicians failed to implement the impressive 1839 Irish Railway Commission proposals, and then did not focus sufficiently on reducing journey time between London and Dublin. Government allowed regional and personal interests in Britain to guide its decision-making, rather than technical advice. Railways produced paradoxical political results in North Wales between 1850 and 1900. They assisted
chester railway political impact north_wales british_policy_towards ireland present theoretical_framework relationship technology politics applies use make railway successive british_government irish policy question chester railway chosen rival political_influence government apply ensure success technically superior alternative also_examine interaction politics technology north_wales assess political_implication london north western railway monopoly include line uniquely study_show successive_government include railway irish policy achieve require result fail implement impressive irish railway commission proposal focus sufficiently reduce journey time london dublin government allow regional personal interest britain guide decision_making rather technical advice railways produce paradoxical political north_wales assist