Prior to 1932, the only road route between Southampton High Street and Above Bar was through the arch in the centre of the Bargate.
In 1923 a new design of enclosed double deck tram was introduced by P.J Baker, General Manager of the tramways, with a rounded top that would fit through the arch.
These trams had smaller wheels to help reduce the overall height and were driven by high speed motors producing more torque.
Despite the clever design, the roadway through the arch in the Bargate still had to be lowered and some secretive fine-tuning of the profile of the arch masonry was also required at the last minute.
Trams started to pass around the East of the Bargate on 24 April 1932.
The last tram to pass through the central archway did so on 4 June 1938, by which time part of Southampton ancient walls had been demolished so that the Bargate was passable on both sides.
Prior to 1932, the only road route between Southampton High Street and Above Bar was through the arch in the centre of the Bargate. In 1923 a new design of enclosed double deck tram was introduced by P.J Baker, General Manager of the tramways, with a rounded top that would fit through the arch. These trams had smaller wheels to help reduce the overall height and were driven by high speed motors producing more torque. Despite the clever design, the roadway through the arch in the Bargate still had to be lowered and some secretive fine-tuning of the profile of the arch masonry was also required at the last minute. Trams started to pass around the East of the Bargate on 24 April 1932. The last tram to pass through the central archway did so on 4 June 1938, by which time part of Southampton ancient walls had been demolished so that the Bargate was passable on both sides.
Southampton Corporation Tramways