This paper reviews the debate on the relationship between transport and economic development in Poland and the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to the present. It traces the main theoretical phases and research, considering how these affected policy and practice. The development of New Economic Geography (NEG) and its impact on practice is discussed, along with the application of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models in Poland and hybrid approaches in the UK. The findings suggest that improved accessibility may be necessary for helping depressed regions, but it is not a guarantee. Policy makers must ensure that conditions exist for a region to benefit from transport investment. Poland, a latecomer to this field, needs more home-grown research as results from other countries may not be applicable. The paper concludes with a discussion of recent developments in both countries, highlighting the political and environmental factors influencing transport policy and the challenges of translating theoretical models into practical applications.This paper reviews the debate on the relationship between transport and economic development in Poland and the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to the present. It traces the main theoretical phases and research, considering how these affected policy and practice. The development of New Economic Geography (NEG) and its impact on practice is discussed, along with the application of Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models in Poland and hybrid approaches in the UK. The findings suggest that improved accessibility may be necessary for helping depressed regions, but it is not a guarantee. Policy makers must ensure that conditions exist for a region to benefit from transport investment. Poland, a latecomer to this field, needs more home-grown research as results from other countries may not be applicable. The paper concludes with a discussion of recent developments in both countries, highlighting the political and environmental factors influencing transport policy and the challenges of translating theoretical models into practical applications.