Turnpike Lane (looking east towards Westbury Avenue) c1932

Comment by Richard Woods on January 26, 2019 at 17:52

Barring the tramlines this could have been anytime in the next 3-4 decades! Until the trolleys went even the o/h wires remained! More traffic mind you!

Comment by andy h on February 3, 2019 at 10:50

So, does this photo mean there's a lost/hidden staircase under Turnpike Lane?

Comment by Hugh on February 3, 2019 at 12:40

Potentially two staircases - same at Manor House. But my guess is that they were all filled in.

Comment by andy h on February 3, 2019 at 13:07

I assumed that the stairs on the right are still in use next to the bus stop.

Comment by Hugh on February 3, 2019 at 13:15

They could be, but if you look at this GSV image taken from roughly the same spot as the 1930's photo, and line up on that the Tennessee Fried Chicken at the end of Westbury Avenue, you'll see that it looks like the two staircases were now in what is today carriageway. This was the same set-up at Manor House. I think the remaining staircases are original, but were additional to the two tram interchange ones.

Comment by Hugh on February 3, 2019 at 13:16

I've just realised that I have a 1940's OS map that shows the set-up. 

And below overlaid on Google Maps (You can see how much wider the pavements are today):

Comment by andy h on February 3, 2019 at 15:36

That seems pretty conclusive Hugh,

so two missing staircases.  I must have a closer look at the tiling next time I'm in the tunnel.

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