Its been over 70 years since trams last ran in the East Midlands city of Leicester, but recent redevelopment works have uncovered some tracks in Braunstone Gate – which last saw trams run in 1949. Leicester is just the latest city to suddenly uncover its transport history once more during roadworks and like so many others the discovery has led to interest and discussion in the local area.
When the tramway in Leicester closed rather than remove the tracks the decision was taken in many areas to just cover them up with a new road surface and there they have remained, unknown to many until workmen come along in 2022! The work on Braunstone Gate is seeing the road being pedestrianised with more trees planted to give a “mini Holland” experience in the area. Funding comes from the Transforming Cities Fund.
The track uncovered during this work ran down the centre of the road on Braunstone Gate with the last of the routes in the city to close on 9th November 1949.
Whereas in most cases track like this is removed during the work this time it will remain in situ and will be covered over once more. And then in another 70 years it will be discovered by a whole new generation!
Big junction under the tarmac at the confluence of Belgrave gate and Braunstone gate, that is still there, and i’m led to believe the huge junction or certainly most of it is still in the middle of the town by the clocktower.
I grew up in Leicester. Even by the early 1950s the only visible remnants of the tramway system were the traction poles, particularly notable, the long bracket arms on Victoria Park Road and the depots, four if I remember correctly. I believe that the depots on London Road and Narborough Road still exist but the central depot behind Humberstone Gate disappeared long ago and I think the main depot at Abbey Park Road has been demolished and of course the poles replaced. I haven’t been back for 40 years.