ruardean

Bit off topic I know, but I'm not sure how to start a new thread or whether this warrants one, but here is one of my conspiracy tales from the post war years. At the time that Hunderton was being laid out & planned, it was suggested that a river crossing be made at the end of Beattie Ave with a road passing to the west of the Water Works & linking with Kings Acre/Whitecross Road at the Foxhunter roundabout. Both Beattie Ave & Wordsworth Road were planned & built sufficiently wide to take the then anticipated flow of traffic.Beattie Ave was then expected to be only temporary anyway because of the limited life in the prefabs. How wrong they were!! Here's where the conjecture sets in!! It is alleged that someone overseeing the works did not want this to take place for reasons one can only speculate upon, & in a successful ploy to thwart the road arranged for one of the 3 storey blocks of flats in Villa St to be so sited as to effectively close the end of Beattie Ave. Have look at Google Earth & you will see how logical the route was & there is even a vestigial tail on the roundabout at the end of Westfaling St & Wordsworth Road to take the new route. There...it's all out now!!!

As a newcomer to the site I would prefer discussion on positive aspects & proposals relevant to our area, & am glad that someone has given me and other users the opportunity to do so. Thank you Colin.

Well the buses get snarled up in the traffic same as everything else. There are a lot of good points about running a tram service, but the initial capital outlay would be high, I imagine. Cheaper than a road lined with unwanted houses though, imo.

I understand that at one time a tram line was mooted to run up & down the lines. As you suggest, anything that relieves the congestion in Belmont road (esp term times) would be welcome. I am sure with a little thought the tram could run from the end of the line & link into at least the Courtyard area. Crossing the A49 into town would be a struggle, but worth a look at, I reckon. As regards the poor lighting here, I can only agree. It's not only disturbing for single ladies, but strapping blokes like me too!!