Hi,

R.S.S has yet again come up with some great photos, this time showing the building of the extension to Whaley Lane. As RSS has pointed out previously, Whaley Lane used to run straight across the railway tracks at the bottom of the hill, but the road was altered with a sharp bend to take it right to join up with Reservoir Road, and then under the bridge.

These photos from RSS show the alterations just before work starts, and while it is in progress.

I had always thought that there were cottages at the bottom of Whaley Lane which were knocked down for this extension, but they are clearly not there in these pictures. When I had another look at Robert and Pamela pierce's book 'Whaley Bridge in old picture postcards'  I read that ' in 1894, a row of terraced cottages on Reservoir Road was demolished' allowing this extension to be built.  I guess the cottages are just out of sight in these photos.

I have also reattached another of RSS's photos which shows the bridge at the bottom of Reservoir Road. This gives a glimpse of the cottages that may have been demolished, and also shows the pavement on the left, along with its steep drop to the road, that would have been removed and levelled out during the work.

All we need now is a photo of the cottages which were demolished !

Fantastic photos RSS.

Cheers

Jon.

Edited by user 16 July 2009 20:05:50(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

CllrJonG attached the following image(s):

Fab photos R.S-S !   Very interesting - especially with a steam train whizzing through - at least it looks like it is moving at great speed !!

Looking at the men who seem to be doing the digging-out, it makes you wonder how long it took to do the work - no need to put cones out and enforce a 30 mph speed limit then !!

Gnats

Edited by user 16 July 2009 21:31:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

This is bringing up an old topic but it may be re-read or newly read by some or possibly by no one at all.

If you read Chairman Jon’s previous post on this thread you will see he had reproduced an old photo that I sent him some time ago.
The last photo shows the start of the works to lengthen Whaley Lane so that the road could go under the new railway bridge as it does now.
In the way were three cottages and you can see the steps that used to lead up to them. I don’t know what the row of cottages were called but I am sure Gnatalee will find out for us.
In those days the cottages weren’t compulsory purchased as they would be today but they were bought by the Contractor engaged to carry out the works.
The Contractor was David Drinkwater and I think he is in Jon’s last photo I refer to the man with the long beard.
David Drinkwater did a lot of work around Whaley and in the Goyt Valley.
Does anyone have any information about him; you would assume that he was one of the original Drinkwaters that now trade off Canal Street.

Anyway I have found an old and badly damaged photo of the level crossing showing the horse and carts waiting for the supplies.

Apologies for the quality.

R. S-S

An extract from John Warren’s Diary which shows that the level crossing must have remained in place for at least 30 years after the line to Buxton was opened. The new line was opened in 1863.

R. S-S

1893 Dec 23 THE LEVEL CROSSINGS.   

At last the question of providing a subway to the railway platform has assumed a practical shape.   

Mr David Drinkwater has purchased the   three cottages on the south side of the railway bridge, and he has commenced to pull them down. The work of making the new road is to be proceeded with at once.

Hello all

Regarding Post #13 and the name of the three cottages which were demolished. I have had a look on Ancestry at the 1891 census and there are three properties listed, followed by the Joddrell Arms Hotel. I am not sure whether it is feasible that these three cottages are the ones talked about in the post BUT one of them houses a Frederick James Stones who appears to be in an occupation (which I can't quite decipher) with the L & N W Ry. Co, the next is occupied by John William Bowden and his family, and he is the Station Master. The third is occupied by Mary Ann Johnson (a widow living on her own means), her two grandaughters and two boarders. Unfortunately, I am unable to ascertain the name of the properties as they appear to be named WhaleyB*** - it looks like Whaley Bridge to me, but that doesn't quite make sense.

On Find My Past website, these same three families are given as living at "Spring Bank".

It would be interesting to hear whether folks feel it is feasible that these cottages mentioned on Ancestry are the ones which were demolished.

What do you reckon?

Gnats

Edited by user 10 May 2012 22:34:08(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

The ex-church on Whaley Lane just before Orchard Road was called Spring Bank Church.

G.J.