For over 30 years from 1903-1934 electric trams provided public transport the length of Spen Valley before succumbing to competition from motor coaches.
British Electric Traction devised, built and operated a 22 mile network of tramways radiating from Dewsbury and running via Heckmondwike as far as Moorend, and Bradford via Gomersal and Birkenshaw. There was also a line up Halifax Road as far as Hightown (Miry Lane). The routes are shown on the centre page map.
The mostly single track rails were laid in the road with passing places and electricity picked up from overhead wires. The driver’s “cab” was al fresco. The first tram through Gomersal didn’t even have a roof.
There was a depot at Frost Hill (see map) into which ran ten tracks. Two sides of the building remain to this day, after conversion into business units..
Golden age of the age of the tram
For over 30 years from 1903-1934 electric trams provided public transport the length of Spen Valley before succumbing to competition from motor coaches.
British Electric Traction devised, built and operated a 22 mile network of tramways radiating from Dewsbury and running via Heckmondwike as far as Moorend, and Bradford via Gomersal and Birkenshaw. There was also a line up Halifax Road as far as Hightown. The routes are shown on the centre page map.
The mostly single track rails were laid in the road (with passing places) and electricity picked up from overhead wires. The driver’s “cab” was al fresco. The first tram through Gomersal didn’t even have a roof. The single and double-decker trams shared road space with horses, carts and other vehicles.
There was a depot at Frost Hill (see map) into which ran ten tracks. Despite conversion into business units two sides of the building remain to this day.
