Ever wondered why Central London is one of those cities that doesn’t have a tram service? Well, it used to.
The first generation of horse drawn trams started in March 1861 between Marble Arch and Notting Hill Gate, and was soon followed by a route along Victoria Street in Westminster.
These first tram lines were operated by an American businessman ironically called Goerge Train and although popular with passengers, the design of the tram lines caused problems as they stood proud of the road surface and caused an obstruction for other traffic
Eventually Parliament passed legislation permitting a tram service on the condition that the rails were recessed into the carriageway so that the tramways could be shared with other road users.
Eventually electric powered trams were introduced and by 1914, London tram operators formed the largest tram network in Europe. But after the second world war, money for investment and maintenance became harder to find and passengers migrated to the new motorised bus services that were increasingly found on the capitals’ streets.
The Kingsway tramway was a ‘cut and cover’ tunnel and is the only one of its kind in Britain. It was designed to link North and South London with a tunnel under the Thames. The subway opened in 1906 and closed in 1952.
One side of the tunnel is now used as a road traffic underpass, while the other is Grade II listed and although derelict, is often used by filmakers.
