Another Big Trolleybus Scheme
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A BIG project for the conversion of tAa further 52 miles of tramways to trolleybus working was announced, this week, by London Transport, and permission -to erect standards and wires is to be sought in the next session of Parliament. This scheme is additional to that already-in'progress for the Conversion of 148 miles of tramways -to trolleybus operation. The existing plan refers to services in the suburbs of London, but the latest development affects passenger-transport facilities in
the heart of the Metropolis.
It is proposed to replace trams by frolleybuses, on routes radiating from Moorgate, Smithfield, Gray's Ihn Road and Farringdon Read, and to connect .up the Gray's Inn Road mad Farringdon Road termini. The outer termini are at Hampstead, Parliament Hill Fields, Barnet and WalthamCross, whilst it is proposed also to convert the route from Harlesden to Croydon via Putney.
When these important schemes have been completed, only 100 miles of tramways will remain. At a rough estimate, we should say that no fewerthan 1,500 trolleybuses will -be required for the programme.
Last Sunday, trolleybuses were run for the first time in place of trams from Woolwich, via Abbey Wood, Belvedere, Erith and Barnehurst to Bexle3rheatha distance of 8+ route-miles. This was also the first occasion on which a through service has been provided from Woolwich to Erith and Bexleyheath.
A fleet of 38 Leyland trolleybuses, having Brush 60-seater bodies and Metropolitan-Vickers electrical equipment, is employed, and these vehicles piovide a more frequent service than e as the case when tramways were used. The trolleybuses are housed in a new depot on the Erith road, which can accommodate 60 vehicles. It has a floor space of 36,670 sq. ft.
On November 24, the tramways from Woolwich, via Plumstead, Welling and Bexleyheath, to Dartford, will also -be converted.
It is hoped to introduce trolleybuses on the route between Sutton, Croydon and the Crystal Palace, about the end of the year. Further sections to be converted during the spring and summer of next year will include those from Acton to Edgware, Finchley to Cricklewooci. Paddington to Sudbury, Shepherd's .Bush to Uxbridge and Hammersmith to Acton.
CASE ULTRA VIRES?
WITH a view to continuing negotia
VY in private, a lengthy public inquiry into proposals of Wellingborough Urban District Council_ for the relief of traffic congestion was brought to a premature close on Tuesday. The council's proposals related to alterations in bus routes and stopping places. The chief objector was the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., which, it was stated, would "fight to the last gasp" on some a the points.
Mr. J. H. Stirk, chairman of the East Midland Commissioners, suggested that the parties concerned should attempt to reach agreement by conferring in private.
At a previous hearing Mr. A. G. Dennis, for "United Counties" and Birch Bros., Ltd., made a legal submission thati5the case was ultra vires. .Mr. Stirk said, on Tuesday, that he had taken advice and could now set another legal opinion against that of Mr. Dennis. This held that the addition of a new condition, although not altering any of the existing conditions, was, in fact, a variation of the conditions. Mr. Dennis also suggested that the case had been prejudged.