As we return to another series of “Still Standing!” we start off by heading to West Yorkshire and taking a look at an old tram depot in Shipley which remains in existence and has now found a fairly novel use – it certainly make a nice change from the constant stream of bus depots and warehouses!
Hirst Lane Depot (also known as Saltaire Depot) was built by Bradford Corporation Tramways in August 1904. Housing electric trams from the off (with Bradford choosing the non-standard gauge of 4ft) it has six tracks and was in effect a replacement for the nearby Moorhead Lane Depot which closed in 1904 having been used since 1882 for horse, steam and then electric trams. The depot we are reviewing here remained as the home of trams until 6th May 1939 at which point the tram routes here were converted to trolleybus operation. It was subsequently used to house trolleybuses and remained active until 20th August 1963.
Despite it being almost 60 years since it was used for trolleybuses the main structure remains today and is now the SALT Beer Factory. This is an open plan restaurant which features a modern British menu with a dining gallery upstairs. They also make a thing of the history of the building with all their literature saying how they are in a former tram depot.
There’s no real denying the origins of the structure as one look makes you automatically think some sort of transport depot. This general view shows the old and the new merged together to make something viable for today.
Another view of the site. You’ll notice what look like tracks in the foreground but these aren’t quite what they seem as they are merely a decorative representation of track and setts. (Both Photographs by Bob Hayes, 3rd May 2022)
The depot was in use to the late 60s and possibly into the 1970s the closure of the Idle to Saltaire section of overheads and as said with a lot of original features including the local police who used the depot as a hide out from duty. The coming of radio being their downfall. Well finished and appointed facilities with foreman’s cabins and inspectors areas.
The much older depot as far as aware still extent in nearby Moorhead Lane, very small in comparison. Bradford was well served with depots some of which housed trolley buses and L plated buses or surplus stock with most showing classic overhead wiring notches as are visible in the pics.
One consequence of the 4 foot gauge was that the inspection pits were narrow enough to be used safely by the trolleybuses.