The Tramways Act 1870 was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was an important step in the development of urban transport in United Kingdom. Street tramways had originated in the United States, and were introduced to UK by George Francis Train in the 1860s, the first recorded installation being a short line from Woodside Ferry to Birkenhead Park in the town of Birkenhead. However, when Train started laying lines on top of the highway in London, he was arrested and fined, although he thought he had obtained official permission.