Thursday is a day I do not have to go out early – a day off in fact, however I would add that my work is of a voluntary nature i.e. no luchre. I will try and quickly reflect on my aborted post of yesterday.
A picture of Stratford Road shows Daimler bus HOV 909 (1909) having turned from Walford Road will soon turn into Stoney Lane for Highgate Road. The other side of the road shows Leyland PD2, JOJ 200 (2200) with a very graceful Park Royal body, making the opposite movements. I notice a car illegally parked, I guess, on the pavement by the Midland Red bus stop. From Highgate Road once over Moseley Road was a long drop down Belgrave Road. Buses picked up a fair turn of speed and that, as far as I recall, was why there was a compulsory stop (red plate) part way down the hill. I recall driving from Cambridge to Edgbaston in 1980. I followed the 8 route from Stratford Road only to arrive at the traffic lights at Moseley Road and looking ahead found the whole scene of the Belgrave Road area unrecognizable!
The tramcar 425, built in 1912, was on the Alcester Lanes End service 39. The tram and the tram route ceased in 1949 being replaced by the 48 bus route.
The Inner Circle route commenced in February1928; it was a very busy and profitable route as it served so many industries along the way. It was also as short hop shopper route for those not wishing to travel into town.
The initial buses for the route were ADC 507 types with, unusually for Birmingham, a lowbridge body (around a foot lower than other buses). Consequently the lower saloon had twenty bucket type seats, fitted in a diagonal position, in the lower saloon with a gangway either side. Due to this arrangement they got the name ‘pickpocket specials’. The need for the lower height was due to bridges in Highgate Road, Balsall Heath and Icknield Street, Hockley. Road improvements were made by 1934 to lower the road and the buses were then withdrawn.