A new poll has ranked the top 20 British engineering and manufacturing achievements, with the London Underground taking the top spot. The survey of 2,000 adults found that 94% take pride in the nation's engineering heritage, with the Channel Tunnel and the World Wide Web also making the top ten.
Concorde, the MRI scanner, Tower Bridge, the Spitfire, prosthetics and bionic limbs, the National Grid, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge completed the top ten. The research, commissioned by Nissan to mark the start of production of the third-generation LEAF in Sunderland, also revealed that 64% of Britons are more likely to buy a product if it was developed in the UK.
Lee Kennedy, a facilities engineer who has worked at Nissan's Sunderland plant for 33 years, said: "It's the chance to work with so many clever people over the years. That's what makes British engineering so special – there's always new talent coming through who want to push forward and keep innovating." His daughter Eve, 20, a supply chain degree apprentice, also works at the plant and promotes apprenticeships in schools.
The OnePoll study found that 69% are confident British manufacturing and engineering will continue to shape the future, while 93% believe it is crucial to national identity. Over half (53%) said the sector is more innovative than ever, and 44% of parents would encourage their children to pursue a career in engineering.
Among the most visited engineering landmarks are the London Underground, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Battersea Power Station, and the Forth Bridge. The third-generation Nissan LEAF has a single-charge range of up to 386 miles and qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant.
