Cheltenham High Street

Notice the tram on this picture. Trams were introduced in Cheltenham on 22 August 1901 when two trams carried local elite from Lansdown Castle to Cleeve Hill. Cheltenham was late to embrace this mode of travel (Gloucester's trams ran since 1879) as concerns were expressed over the noise and safety. These proved right as on a trial run a tramcar descending from Cleeve Hill overturned at Southam curve and killed two workmen - only single deckers then were allowed on the Cleeve Hill climb. However, the trams proved very popular and in their first week of operation they carried 40,000 passangers. In 1905 new tracks connecting town centre with Leckhampton and Charlton Kings were laid. The tram service ceased in March 1930.