Some more old tram track has been revealed due to gas main works – over 55 years after it was last used. This time the location is Liverpool at the bottom of the Thomas Drive reservation at the junction with Thomas Lane. Trams last ran here on route 40 which closed on 14 September 1957 and like in so many other places across the UK rather than removing the track it was just tarmacced over. John Hewitt provides us with some photos.
Images of the tram track at the junction of Thomas Drive and Thomas Lane which has come to the surface during gas main works. (All photos: John Hewitt)
Interesting to see the old Liverpool tram track uncovered. Will we ever see new track being laid in Liverpool? The decision cancel the new system while the rails were arriving was very short sighted bad judgement. Unfortunately typical of Government attitude to efficient public transport. The road lobby still rules in this country.
Yes, the then government were partly to blame, but I believe the final decision was forced upon them by the disgraceful way our own council behaved. Constant bickering, last minute changes of route etc etc, and I don’t feel Mersey Tram came out smelling of roses either.
Liverpool’s Loss may be Birkenhead’s gain as Peel Holdings want to use the track to extend the Birkenhead system from Taylor Street to Seacombe ferry terminal.
Seacombe, then New Brighton? (Wishful thinking I know!)
Merseytram was not the right transport medium at the time, and still is not. The priority in Liverpool is extending the metro, Merseyrail. There are approx. 5 miles of tunnel under the city awaiting reuse and merging into the metro. Many mothballed lines await. Trams, or tram/trains, can be implemented after a metro update compliment the metro not competing with it as Line One to Kirkby did. Liverpool South Parkway station under construction had a tram platform built but never used, but waiting. Many of the existing stations can have a tram platforms built when the metro is extended, awaiting the trams.
It would be nice top extend the metro and built the tram network at the same time, but funds would preclude this. But good forward thinking design can accommodate all eventually.