Today “Still Standing!” is on the way to the northeast as we take a look at a surviving tram depot of the Sunderland District Electric Tramways.
The building on Philadelphia Lane was opened as a tram depot on 10th June 1905 by the Sunderland District Electric Tramways Ltd with 6 tracks provided in the main shed along with a works section. It was subsequently extended in 1920 but five years later on 12th July 1925 it was closed as a tram depot for the last time. It was transferred to bus operation following the departure of the last tram and remained in use as a bus depot for many years. It has now passed into industrial use with the current business utilising the building being K B Tyres. The address of the building remains “Old Bus Depot”.
The corrugated sheeting construction from when it was built as a tram depot is still in evidence in this view of the building now in use with KB Tyres. (Photograph by Gordon Bulmer, 11th August 2020)
It’s due for demolition soon as the area is being redeveloped.