Trams may have been a thing of the past. But they could be the future to solving London's transport problems. COLIN O'TOOLE reports Trams could be the answer For some they are our brightest hope for clear, pollution-free roads in the 21st Century.

But a look back over the last 100 years reveals how trams have been part of our history since 1904 when the Edgware Road tramway was extended from Cricklewood to Edgware via Hendon and then on to Canons Park by 1907.

The Metropolitan Electric Tramways, which ran the line, tried hard to extend the terminus deeper into Stanmore.

But they were foiled by a powerful lobby of haughty residents who did not want their area over-run by what they saw as the great unwashed hordes of day-trippers who would now find the area in easy reach thanks to the new low fares.

By 1929 seven different tram services passed through the area linking Whetstone to Cricklewood; North Finchley to Paddington and Canons Park to Acton.

The line itself extended from Paddington through Harlesden and Willesden and then split into three towards Wembley, Canons Park and Acton.

By 1936, trams had fallen out of favour with the newly-formed London Passenger Transport Board and the Hendon depot became a tram graveyard as trolleybuses started running on the Acton routes.

A year later all the trams had gone and trolleybuses trundled on until 1962 when they were replaced by fume-belching diesel buses.

Thirty five years later, a London Transport feasibility study investigated re-instating part of the line as far as Cricklewood towards Brent Cross shopping centre.

But while the scheme has merits, the under-funded present state of the Tube means it is unlikely to become a priority until well into the next century. A tram standing at the Canons Park terminus in 1936 waiting to depart for Acton. Opposition from residents meant that trams did not get any further north than this One of the finest trams ever built, this open-top tram was delivered to Metropolitan Electric Tramways Ltd in 1905 shortly after the trams first reached Hendon and Cricklewood from Paddington The tram in the distance is making it up Edgware High Street towards The Mason's Arms. Tram companies were responsible for maintaining the road for 18ins either side of their track and their work was better quality than the surrounding road. The horse and cart in the foreground is taking full advantage of the smoother ride on offer This view of The Old Welsh Harp pub shows what life was like before Staples Corner roared into action The excellent transport facilities of Wembley were needed to cope with the huge crowds making their way to the twin towers for the Cup Final. Trams arrived in 1908 and this view of The Green shows two different routes in operation.

o Edgware and Willesden Tramways is available at £12.95 from Middleton Press, Eastbourne Lane, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9AZ, on 01730 813169.

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