Monument record 10864 - Chester Tramway

The first tramway system in Chester was proposed in 1877 and implemented by the following year running from the station to Saltney. The main depot was adjacent to the station, initially using horse drawn services until the tracks were electrified following the construction of the electricity plant in 1896. Two further lines were added in 1906 to Tarvin Road and to Christleton Road. Although popular, the trams were not a financial success and were replaced by motor bus services in 1930. (1)

A building assessment of the tram depot in 2005 recorded several phases of alteration to the tram complex. The main shed, built in 1878, was initially constructed with horse drawn carriages in mind and following the conversion to electric lines in 1896 the main shed was altered. This involved the raising of the roof and the widening of the main doors in 1902 allowing for the storage of up to 18 trams. (5)

A second phase of alteration was then carried out in the 1930s following the conversion of the building into a bus depot. The resulted in the demolition of the former manager’s office to the east of the main shed and its replacement with a steel framed shed. To the rear of the manager’s office, the former stables and hay store, later used as a body repair shop, was also partially demolished in 1977 to make way for a steam cleaning plant. The former tram lines survive to the south of the main shed on Tramway Street survive between granite setts, those to the north have been removed. (5)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2005, Proposed Redevelopment at Tramway Street Bus Depot, Chester - A Programme of Archaeological Evaluation., R2568 (Client Report). SCH4624.

<5> Castlering Archaeology, 2010, Former Tram Depot, Tramway Street, Chester, Historic Building Recording, R3009 (Client Report). SCH5361.