This paper investigates the reversibility of the effects of transport infrastructure investments, based on a programme that removed much of the rail network in Britain during the mid-20th century. We find that a 10% loss in rail access between 1950 and 1980 caused a persistent 3% decline in local population relative to unaffected areas, implying that the 1 in 5 places most exposed to the cuts saw 24 percentage points less population growth than the 1 in 5 places that were least exposed. The cuts reduced local jobs and shares of skilled workers and young people.

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1 September 2024

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Journal of Urban Economics 1432024

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DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2024.103691

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094119024000615

This Journal article is published under the centre's Education programme, Urban programme.