Green Line in Tunbridge Wells

[Daniel Hardcastle]

Good evening!

Would anyone know the location of the former garage used by Green Line to house the RFs and latterly RCLs for use on Route 704?

I have been a resident of TW since birth, some 24 years ago (!) and vividly remember the bow-fronted building on the apex of Lime Hill Road and Mount Ephraim Road near Five Ways. I am fully aware that this building and plot was used as the Green Line Coach Station, along with Starline Taxis (with whom my Uncle worked for about 18 years ago...!)

Looking around on some Internet sites to find out more, the code for the London Country area bus garages gives Tunbridge Wells a very convenient 'TW'! However, there is no indication of its existence for its' location!
I am looking to recreate the Lime Hill Road site in OO, and thought that the garage would be a nice addition to the model...

Also, on the subject of former garages in TW, where abouts is/was the premises for 'Shearings/Eagle Coaches'?

Many Thanks in advance for any help!!

Daniel Hardcastle

[DRH]

Daniel

As a St Neotonian (or whatever those born in St Neots are called), I'm not really qualified to comment on the history of Tunbridge Wells, although I've lived in the town for over 24 years.

But, the Green Line garage was in Whitefield Road. I have never been clear exactly where, but I think it was at the southern end, near the junction with Culverden Down.  There is modern building and yard at this point (most of the other houses are 1920s or 1930s, I would say). However, I believe the large shed that still stands at the rear of the Freeway tyre depot in St Johns Road, which backs onto the modern structure in Whitefield Road, was part of the Green Line garage.  Can anyone confirm?

The Eagle Coaches (Tunbridge Wells Radio Taxis Ltd) depot, later used by Shearings was in Lamberts Road, behind what is now Watling Tyres' premises. Access was via a fairly narrow roadway between Watling Tyres and a Travis Perkins builders yard.  The Eagle buildings (which were quite modern, being built around 1985 or so) and yard are still intact and now used by a car/van hire firm. 

A very useful historical source on London bus and tram garages (including Country Area and Green Line) is David Domin's "L.T. MOG - Bus Garages , Tram & Trolleybus Depots of London Transport and its Predecessors 1829 - 1988", published by the Omnibus Society; £10. 

DRH

[Eric]

I am afraid the garage was not close to the coach station.  It was in Whitefield Road, which runs between Beltring Road and Culverden Down.  The site is now occupied by housing.

 

Shearings/Eagle Coaches were in the Longfield Road area, possibly Lambert's Road.

 

Eric

[Neil Bays]

On Wednesday, 24 July 2013 00:24:20 UTC+1, Daniel Hardcastle wrote:

Hi all,.

I can confirm with Eric that the Eagle depot was in Lamberts Road (now a car hire firm) and that the Green Line depot was on the corner of Culverden Avenue and Culverden Down.

M&D also had a 2nd depot in Upper grosvenor Rd at the junction with Grosvenor Bridge (now an old folks home)

Neil

[Daniel Hardcastle]

Many thanks for all your help with this!

I work at Bennett Memorial, just around the corner in Culverden Down, so pass Whitefield Road each day (unless using Reynolds Lane to avoid the 7:45 traffic along the A26!) so probably pass it without realising!

I've just seen on Bing maps, the garage behind Watling and TPs down Lamberts Road, so many thanks for the location tip-off.

Best wishes,

Daniel H