PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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THE ROUTE The route that the Plymouth, Devonport and District Tramways Company actually completed and opened was as follows. Starting at West Hoe Pier, which is not to be confused with the Promenade Pier, the main line ran along West Hoe Road, where the depot was located, to Millbay Road, George Street, Lockyer Street, to Princess Square. This is where the branch to the Barbican started. From Princess Square the main route went into Westwell Street, past the main General Post Office and the Guildhall, across Bedford Street into Russell Street, Richmond Street, Cobourg Street, North Road, Torrington Place, sharp left into Houndiscombe Road, and out on to Mutley Plain. After traversing Mutley Plain, the line went up Townsend Hill and along Tavistock Road to the terminus at the end of Compton Lane, a point which was formally known as Compton Lane End. The branch line turned off the main line at Princess Square and ran down Notte Street to terminate at the end of Southside Street. Because of the Board of Trade inspector's decision that it was unsafe for steam trams to be used in Richmond Street, the route from there to Compton Lane End was only ever used by the trial trams on the opening day, with the regular service from West Hoe Pier terminating at the end of Russell Street.
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