Tag Archives: 1896

Bridge Road

Road that was off east, or right-hand, side of Christchurch Road, opposite Runnymede. It was closed in 1966.

In this 1952 OS map, the road is shown with a single terrace of eleven houses on the north side, numbered sequentially 1 to 11.

1952 OS map

1952 OS map

Aerial photo from 1947 shows the row of houses on the left side of the road.

29th April 1947 from Britain From Above

29th April 1947 from Britain From Above

Aerial photo from 1949 shows the road looking to the west. The dome atop the tower on the right was Frys Metals factory.

19th March 1949 from Britain From Above

19th March 1949 from Britain From Above

It is not mentioned in the 1891 street directory, but there are two houses listed in the 1896 street directory and all eleven in the 1904 street directory:

1896

1, James CAVENDER, stationer
2, John STOPHER, greengrocer

1904

1, James CAVENDER, stationer
2, Arthur Thomas THORNS, greengrocer
3, Auburn Frederick ISACKE
4, Austin C HOLLANDS
5, William SHARPE
6, Arthur Albert FRISBY
7, Charles TAYLOR
8, Arthur SWINDELL
9, Robert SWINDELL
10, Edwin YOUNG
11, William YOUNG

The road was closed in 1966:

Bridge Road is to be closed down

Bridge Road, a cul-de-sac off Christchurch Road, Mitcham is to be closed. Merton Council have given planning permission to Frys Metal Foundries Ltd., for redevelopment which involves the closing of the road.

The road was originally the principle means of access to residential properties which have since been demolished. It now serves the factory premises only.

RIGHTS OF ACCESS

The council agreed to give permission provided the council’s right of adequate access to the public sewers were preserved.

Also provided that the owner of the factory should take over the responsibility for the street lamps and cables in the road, and also bear any costs incurred in closing the road.

Frys have also offered land near Bridge Road to the council free of charge for the proposed widening of Christchurch Road. The offer has been accepted.

Source: Mitcham News & Mercury, 13th May, 1966, page 1.

Occupants in 1939

1, Leonard Douglas and Elizabeth HAYNES
2, Mary Jane and Rosa FISK
3, William Charles and Alice Louisa and Christopher ADAMS
4, James and Maude BURLING
5, Robert and Gertrude MARSHALL
6, Alfred and Mabel Frances FORD
7, Robert and Doris May TAYLOR; Edith Mahala FRISWELL
8, James Alfred and Sarah Ellen DURLING
9, Henry William and Rose Florence and Florance DALTON
10, Ernest John and Flora BURLING
11, Charles Walter and Susan FRANCIS


Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Miles Lane

This road is on the northern edge of the parish churchyard, and runs from Church Road, eastward to north of Edmund Road. Later renamed Miles Road.

Not shown in the 1891 street directory, but is in the 1896 edition, suggesting that it was built in the early or mid 1890s.

1896 street directory:

NORTH SIDE
Elm Villa, Robert HANCOCK, market gardener

SOUTH SIDE
Clifton Cottages
1, Henry EARLE
2, Daniel GRIFFIN
3, James SMITH

The location of the Clifton Cottages ca be deduced from the 1925 street directory as they are shown past Edmund Road.

1896 OS map

1910 OS map

1910 OS map

From the 1915 street directory:

Miles Lane, from Church Road.
NORTH SIDE

Robert Charles GUNN, florist, (Elm Villa)
Norman, Smee & Dodwell, varnish manufacturers

From the 1925 street directory:

Miles Lane, from Church Road to Field Gate Lane.

NORTH SIDE

Arthur J. PARKER (Abingdon house)
Robert SMITH (Abingdon house)
George WRIGHT (Raleigh House)

Abingdon buildings:
1a, William GRAHAM
1, James William NICHOLAS
2a, Charles GOULD
2, George KELSEY
3a, Reginald Edward WEEKES
3, Oliver CHARMAN
4a, Robert JOHNSTON
4, George FRANCIS
5a, Arthur STARKEY
5, Frederick MONEY
6a, Robert Henry SIMS
6, George COLE

Robert GUNN, florist (The Nursery)

15, Herbert VINCER
14, John Orlando EDMUNDS
13, Charles Duncan BALLARD
12, Balantyne SEARS
10, Thomas BROWN
9, George Alfred BOURNER
8, Mrs PARK
7, Frank WHEELER
6, William PAGE
5, Charles PICKETT
4, Kenneth ENEVER
3, Thomas WEST
2, James CRUTCH
1, Eli NORTH

Norman, Smee & Dodwell, varnish manufacturers
Edward ABREHART, market gardener

SOUTH SIDE

R.J. Hamer & Son, varnish manufacturers

Simmonds cottages:
3, William Henry NORTH
2, Edward NORTH
2, A.F. NORTH, boot repairer
1, Charles BUNCE

… here is Edmund Road

Clifton cottages:
3, Robert SAYERS
2, Daniel GRIFFITHS
1, William SAYERS

World War 1 Connections
Private Hubert Cole


From the Surrey Recruitment Registers:

F ABREHART of 1 Miles Lane, aged 21 Years 10 Months, Carman. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 24 February 1916 to the Royal Field Artillery.

C H BOWDERY of 4 Miles Lane, aged 26 Years, Carman. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 13 May 1916 to the Royal Engineers (3/1st Kent).

J L CRAWFORD of 6 Abingdon Terrace, Miles Lane, aged 32 Years, Motor Driver. Conscripted on 7 May 1917 to the Army Service Corps (mt).

C JAMES of 2 Miles Lane, aged 23 Years 5 Months, Dustman. Conscripted on 2 December 1915 to the Labour Centre.

W H NORTH of 3 Simmons Cottages Miles Lane, aged 36 Years, Scaffolder. Conscripted on 6 June 1916 to the Royal Engineers.

G C S SPOONER of Abingdon House Miles Lane, aged 30 Years 10 Months, Conductor. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 12 December 1915 to the Huntingdonshire Cyclists (2/1st Batn).

R VARNHAM of 12 Miles Lane, aged 34 Years, Labourer. Volunteered on 13 January 1915 to the East Surrey Regiment.

T WEST of 3 Miles Lane, aged 40 Years, Labourer. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 11 December 1915 to the Durham Light Infantry (5th Batn).

W WEST of 3 Miles Lane, aged 35 Years, Labourer. Conscripted on 6 March 1917 to the Bedfordshire Regiment (30th Inf Lab Coy).

F W WHEELER of 7 Miles Lane, aged 39 Years, Lamplighter. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 11 December 1915 to the Royal West Surrey Regiment (9th Batn).

W E WILKS of 4 Miles Lane, aged 39 Years 5 Months, Horsedealer. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 8 March 1916 to the Royal West Surrey Regiment.


Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.