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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

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FORD HALT (GWR)

Ford Platform was located between Dockyard Halt and Keyham Station on the Great Western Railway main line.  It was adjacent to the western end of Station Road, Keyham Barton, and Goschen Street.

The picture shows a Plymouth-bound Saltash Motor.  Tamar Avenue can be seen to the right of the train.

A Plymouth-bound railmotor at Ford Halt

The Platform was built by the Great Western Railway and opened on Wednesday June 1st 1904 in connection with the railmotor service from Plymouth to Saltash.  It was about equidistant between the St Levan and North Yard Extension gates of the Royal Dockyard.

Extract of a map showing the railway stations in Keyham and Ford

This map shows the relationship between
the Great Western Railway's Ford Halt,
on the left, and the Southern Railway's
Ford (Devon) Station.

Although it was an unadvertised stopping place at that time, it soon become so popular that in 1906 the platforms were both lengthened to 400 feet and widened.  Corrugated waiting shelters were provided on both platforms and a booking office was constructed.  It would appear that the waiting "alcove" from Ford was transferred to St Budeaux Platform during this work.  A publicly advertised service started on May 23rd 1906.

It was renamed Ford Halt from July 10th 1922.  Possibly this was the result of local protest as in the Evening Herald of May 1922 there was the following letter: 'Sir, Upon calling at Ford Station yesterday to renew my season ticket between Ford and Plymouth the official in charge informed me that owing to Ford Station being closed on June 1st he was unable to issue a season ticket to me.  It is of the gravest importance to the inhabitants of Ford, seeing that the station is used by about 1,000 people per day, the majority season ticket holders, and it is not fair to them being put to the inconvenience of walking from Dockyard Halt or Keyham.  In some cases this would be impossible, seeing that those employed in Plymouth only get one hour for dinner.  If you will kindly bring this to the eyes of the people of Ford perhaps it will assist in the making of a petition to right this great wrong.  Season Ticket Holder, Ford, May 3rd.'

Ford Halt looking towards Dockyard Halt

Ford Halt looking towards Dockyard Halt

Between March 1936 and May 2nd 1937 all traffic used the up platform while work was being done to Keyham Viaduct.

Ford Halt was closed from Monday October 6th 1941 after bombing had damaged the platforms and obliterated much of the area it served.

 

Copyright: Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Page updated: 12 November 2005

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