Coal And Oil
Decline of coal
Coal has been replaced by electricity and gas as the main source
of power in Britain, leading to the decline of British coal mining.
Most pits were closed in the 1970s and 1980s because of this
declining demand. As a result, very little coal is now exported.
Indeed, the country is a net importer of coal, a situation that
would have been unthinkable 50 or more years ago. The former coal
ports have had to look to other trades, in competition with older
and better-placed ports. There have been success stories; for
instance, Sunderland exports cars from the Washington plant of
Nissan. But most coal ports are a shadow of their former
selves. 
 Former Coal Barge Dock, River Itchen |
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