THE INTRODUCTION OF TRAMS IN LONDON IN 1870 GREY (Sir George, 2nd Baronet, 1799-1882, Statesman, Home Secretary under Russell and Palmerston)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to W. Booth Scott thanking him for his letter and "the Report sent with it which I have read with much interest. It confirms strongly the opinion I expressed in the House of Lords that if tram ways are to be laid down in the streets they should be so by some public authority and not by private companies. Your sketch of a plan for that purpose seems to me on the whole judicious, only that I should doubt the expediency of creating a new board to take charge of tramways in the Metropolis We have too many independent authorities in London already, & it seems to me that the Metropolitan Board of works would be the proper authority to be entrusted with the duty of deciding what tram ways ought to be laid down & of making such as might be found to be proper. I think the whole charge of maintaining the ordinary roads in the streets along which tram ways are laid down ought to be undertaken by the authority which has charge of them. Your calculation seems to show that there would be more than profit enough ...", 4 sides 8vo., 13 Carlton House Terrace, 14th February

The first generation of trams in London started in 1860 when a horse tramway began operating along Victoria Street in Westminster. This first line was operated by a somewhat eccentric American, George Francis Train. Initially, there was strong opposition as, although it was popular with its passengers, the first designs had rails that stood proud of the road surface and created an obstruction for other traffic. This came to a head in 1861 when Train was arrested for "breaking and injuring" the Uxbridge Road and his plans were put on hold. Eventually Parliament passed legislation permitting tram services, on the condition that the rails were recessed into the carriageway and that the tramways were shared with other road users. Costs of maintenance of the tramway and its immediately neighbouring road carriageway would be borne by the tram companies, thus benefiting the ratepayers, who had been bearing the full cost of highway repairs since the abolition of turnpikes. Fares were set at 1d (1 penny) per mile, with half-price early and late workmen's services. After a demonstration line was built at the Crystal Palace, the first lines authorised by the Act of Parliament in 1870 were opened.

Item Date:  1870

Stock No:  40287      £175

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