NOSTALGIA: When trams ran through the fire station's offices at Cosham

If you're struggling with the geography in the 1930s' photograph above, look to the top of Portsdown Hill and you'll see Fort Widley.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Nov 2017, 20:07 BST

Updated 12th Dec 2017, 11:29 BST

You might struggle with this scene but it is in fact looking across Waite Street, Cosham. The tram is heading for Spur Road. Picture: Barry Cox Collection

You might struggle with this scene but it is in fact looking across Waite Street, Cosham. The tram is heading for Spur Road. Picture: Barry Cox Collection

Where the tram is going away from the camera is where Cosham fire station is now.

The road crossing left to right in the foreground is what is now called Waite Street but was then the A27 Southampton Road when it was the main road west to Fareham.

The tramway had crossing gates to protect it but they appear to have been disconnected at this late date in the Portsdown & Horndean Light Railway’s life.

WAITE STREET CROSSING TODAY

I stood on the footbridge to get a better perspective of the view today. The lady crossing the road is where is where the young couple stood in the earlier photograph. — WAITE STREET CROSSING TODAY I stood on the footbridge to get a better perspective of the view today. The lady crossing the road is where is where the young couple stood in the earlier photograph.

WAITE STREET CROSSING TODAY

I stood on the footbridge to get a better perspective of the view today. The lady crossing the road is where is where the young couple stood in the earlier photograph. — WAITE STREET CROSSING TODAY I stood on the footbridge to get a better perspective of the view today. The lady crossing the road is where is where the young couple stood in the earlier photograph.

The tramway heading north would have then crossed Spur Road and Northern Road.

It then headed up the hill on the left side of London Road crossing Southwick Hill Road via a bridge. I will show that location tomorrow.

The map shows the route in more detail.

The modern picture shows the same view.

The route of the tramway across what is now Waite Street, Cosham.

The route of the tramway across what is now Waite Street, Cosham.

The fire station’s offices are built where the tram tracks once ran.

The woman crossing the road is where the young couple were standing in the previous photograph.

To the left, out of shot, the former Southampton Road is now Medina Road.

The map shows P&HLR route through Cosham and crossing Southampton Road, now Waite Street.

Nostalgia Portsdown Hill London Road