Redditch has long relied on a good transport network and, with the demise of manufacturing
in Redditch, and the UK as a whole, Redditch has profited from its sound geographical
position by becoming a major distribution centre for the UK.
200 years ago there were no regular transport services to Redditch and even salt
had to be transported by pack horse from Droitwich. The Worcester and Birmingham
canal was opened in 1815 and this gave reliable access to Redditch manufacturing
companies to the rest of the UK and in 1826 the turnpikes came to Redditch when the
Pershore Road turnpike opened.
The situation was further improved with the construction of a railway through Redditch,
which opened in 1841. This was the 32 mile line from Barnt Green, on the main Birmingham-Worcester
line, through Redditch, Alcester, Evesham and on to Ashchurch on the main line to
London and the West. This gave Redditch manufacturers access to UK and overseas markets.
Today, Redditch is in the enviable position of being at the centre of the UK motorway
network, with excellent access roads, has its own railway station with links to the
UK railway network and is only a few minutes drive from Birmingham International
Airport, with acces to Europe and the rest of the world.
