Compiled by Stephen Birch from Our Archive SIX WAYS, ERDINGTON 1884 - 2011 PART 3 Yesterday in Part 2 we followed the changes which took place at Six Ways during the 1930s ending with the opening of the the Bypass which we know as Sutton New Road in 1938 and a photograph taken just before the outbreak of World War 2. When War on Nazi Germany was declared on 3rd September 1939 work went into providing munitions and all road planning and transport suspended. Six Ways never came under the threat of bombs unlike some other parts of Erdington, and nothing at Six Ways changed during the five years of War. On V.E day 8th May 1945 the illuminated tram made its way along the Number 2 tram route passing through Six Ways island and on to the Erdington terminus at the Yenton. 1. SIX WAYS ISLAND 1950 We start part 3 of this compilation series with this photograph from 1950. Viewed from Wood End Lane across the island to the two large Victorian houses on the corner of Reservoir Road. The two houses on Reservoir Road still the same as the very first image of 1894 in part 1. The only changes at Six Ways since yesterdays 1939 image are the metal tram shelters in the middle of the island and Paynes Shoe Repair shop has opened on the corner of High Street which can be seen back right. Number 11 Outer Circle bus standing in front of the Birmingham Municipal Bank on the left before continuing toward Stockland Green. In the background Number 2 makes its way along Sutton New Road. 2. TRAMS AT SIX WAYS 1951 A much busier Six Ways viewed from the top of Gravelly Hill North showing Tram car 726 leaving the tram stop in the island coming toward Gravelly Hill and tram car 543 at the opposite stop before heading up Sutton New Road. The number of cars and people on the High Street just passed the Baptist Church on the right would suggest its Friday or Saturday shopping day here in 1951. 3. SIX WAYS ERDINGTON FROM GRAVELLY HILL NORTH 1952 In 1952 a set of colour images of Erdington were commissioned. The set of six images have been used in past posts. One of the postcards was this image of Six Ways viewed from the top of Gravelly Hill North. The green colour of the 1940s tram shelters on the island. Just in view on the left is the row of shops next to the Queens Head Public house. and the corner of Reservoir Road behind with a clear view along Sutton New Road with the backs of the houses of York Road leading to Summer Road in the background. 4. SIX WAYS, SATURDAY 7th JULY 1953 11:15am The Erdington Number 2 Route from Steelhouse Lane in the City to the Erdington Terminus at the Yenton was the last public tram line to close in Birmingham. Tram Car 616 was chosen as Birminghams official last tram carrying past employees and directors from Steelhouse Lane to the Erdington terminus. Crowds of people more than expected came and stood on the route to wave goodbye to the trams which had first passed through Six Ways and along the High Street 46 years earlier in March 1907. Having climbed Gravelly Hill passed waving crowds, tram car 616 is seen passing through the traffic island at Six Ways Erdington. The shops at the top of Gravelly Hill North back left, with Chambers Garage just behind the tram, with people standing on the right at the corner of Reservoir Road and on the left at the shelter on the island. (For the full last day story please see our 6 part post titled The Last Day complete with over 50 images.) 5. SIX WAYS ERDINGTON 1955 Two years after the last tram past through the island at Six Ways, viewed from the top deck of the number 64 bus which replaced the number 2 Erdington tram. The island has been raised making the circle more prominent to traffic. A nice view of Paynes Shoe repairs on the corner of High Street further back from where the old Archers store once stood. The Baptist Church on the opposite corner and a view up the High Street. The Primitive Methodist Church steeple can be seen at the corner of Newman Road on the right and behind the top of the tower of the Parish Church of St. Barnabas. The perfect Village High Street. Six Ways had seen many changes from its cart track beginnings and in a fairy tale ending we could stop here and say They all lived happily ever after! Sadly we cannot. within 5 years the demolition men would be back carrying new plans from Birmingham Council to Modernise the High Street, and nothing on the High Street at Six Ways would be spared the bulldozer. 6. BIRMINGHAM MUNICIPAL BANK, SIX WAYS, 1955 Just for a while well stay in the 1950s and the building which has remained a landmark at Six Ways since 1919. The rounded building originally the Birmingham Municipal Bank. The number 11 Outer Circle bus stop was at the top of Wood End Lane seen on the left. The start of Gravelly Hill North on the right. As mentioned before, some viewers may remember this building for the dental practice which was upstairs accessed by a door on the right side of the building. 7. QUEENS HEAD PUBLIC HOUSE, SIX WAYS 1956 Another building which was a landmark of Six Ways was the Queens Head Public House. The Original building which was a hotel stood further forward. The old buildings were pulled down in the middle of the 1930s this one replacing it before the Second World War. The Ford Garage from last weeks post just in view on the right. On the left today at the top of Gravelly Hill North is the BP Garage. 8. SIX WAYS FROM WOOD END ROAD 1960 Arriving full circle with the Outer Circle! The buildings in the background from last weeks post which prompted the compilation of the changing face of Six Ways Erdington. Just before demolition began on the High Street out of view on the right. the Extra Service bus travels on the 11 Outer Circle leaving Six Ways on Wood End Road. The store behind Jacksons which became Modern Homes on the corner of Reservoir Road back left. The Queens Head back right. 9. ERDINGTON SIX WAYS 2000s After the planners had their way in 1961 this is the Six Ways at the High Street which we were left with. Even the Baptist Church wasnt spared. It was rebuilt further along Wood End Road but nothing like its Victorian original. When I compare this image with the photograph from 1955 (number 5) I have to wonder why? What was so wrong with buildings which had so much history and connection to the people of Erdington and the need for change for change sake! It is unfortunate that todays image is less pretty. 10.DEMOLITION OF QUEENS HEAD & ORIGINAL SHOP ROW 2005 Aerial view of Six Ways courtesy of Virtual Earth showing the demolition of the Queens Head and the original row of shops seen in the part one over 100 years before. The public house and Victorian row had lain derelict for a few years and became the target of vandalism and arson attacks. The pub and the row of shops finally demolished in 2005. This demolition leaves only two buildings left which were captured in the 1894 first photograph of this compilation... The Victorian Terraces on the corner of Reservoir Road which were saved from demolition a few years ago. 11. GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE Six Ways Island with new build flats and Tesco in place of the Queens Head and Victorian row on the corner of Reservoir Road and Six Ways. 12. The V.E illuminated tram which passed through Six Ways during the celebrations in May 1945 at the end of World War 2 mentioned above.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:30:01 +0000
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