With the world’s oldest tennis tournament underway, Wimbledon is quite busy at the moment. It’s the peak time of the year for local train, Tube, and tram stations, as well as buses and other services. With so many people using them at the moment, we thought it was a great time to look at the history of trams in London. Plus, if you decide to invest in properties in the area, you can rely on us to arrange guaranteed rent in Croydon, Merton, and other boroughs.
Origins and peak
Did you know that London’s first tram service began in 1861? People could ride horse drawn trams over 1.5 miles from Notting Hill Gate to Marble Arch, saving a 30+ minute walk. It was so popular that other services were soon up and running.
While the original tram services were well loved, they didn’t last long. In around a year they had been removed because of the impact on other traffic. The main issue was the rails were on top of the road surface, creating an obstruction and trip hazard. The popularity sowed the seeds for the boom period to come thought.
Starting in 1870, numerous companies began creating tram lines all over London. This time the rails had to be recessed because of legislation from Parliament. In the next three decades the services grew massively, eventually adding up to a massive 150 miles.
We also saw electrification of services beginning at the start of the 20th century. Significantly, the first was in Croydon. It helped make the area popular, something we can still see today. We’re happy to help, providing guaranteed rent in Croydon for various clients. By 1914, the city was the tram capital of Europe, reaching the peak number of travellers.
Decline
Unfortunately, there was a period of decline in the next 30 years. Alternative services like buses became more and more popular, with less people using the trams. As a result, many lines began closing.
July 1952 was significant because it saw the last journey of this first generation of trams. Then, for almost 50 years London didn’t have a single tram service.
Croydon
Trams made a triumphant return to London in 2000 with the creation of Croydon Tramlink. The original service was between Croydon and New Addington. It was a success and two further routes were built, including the route to Wimbledon.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary this year, the tram network is popular with travellers. In fact, it is only second to the DLR in terms of passenger numbers on light rail networks in the UK, beating Manchester’s Metrolink and Newcastle’s Metro to name a few. It has an impressive 39 stops. While it isn’t as extensive as the peak 150 miles of track from the 20th century, it covers almost 17.5 miles in total.
Speak to us about guaranteed rent in Croydon
London has plenty of fantastic spots for investors, including tech hubs like Croydon and iconic spots such as Wimbledon. You can find properties to suit any kind of strategy, including HMOs for students, family houses, and more.
We have a fantastic range of services to help clients achieve their goals. You can rely on us to review portfolios, explore opportunities, manage properties, and arrange rent guarantees. We’ll prioritise ensuring you get the best returns.
So, get in touch and ask us about guaranteed rent in Croydon or any other service in different parts of London. We’re here to help, with flexible solutions for any needs.
