Call to help save Colchester's historic tram poles

Colchester Civic Society wants to see three cast-iron metal columns in Greenstead Road, to which electricity cables for the trams were once attached, added to Colchester Council’s Local List.

The designation would give the poles, which are still in use as lampposts, added protection and stop them being discarded in future.

Greenstead Road was not on Colchester’s tram route, which was in operation between 1904 and 1929, so the columns must have been moved there after it was shut down.

Bob Mercer, who is the society’s heritage and planning expert, said there were originally four similar columns in the street, but one was removed by Essex Highways in 2019 and replaced with a modern lamppost.

Another one has been damaged and the society is concerned this could be removed in the near future.

Mr Mercer said: “Had we known about the removal of the fourth column last year perhaps we could have encouraged that to have been part of the landscaping at the site of the former tram garage alongside the tram rails in Magdalen Street.

“If any of the remaining three are to be removed by Essex Highways then the civic society would encourage their re-erection at that location.

“In the meantime the civic society would be pleased to hear from any residents who may have more knowledge about these surviving tram posts in Greenstead Road.”

It is not known how long the columns have been located in Greenstead Road or who moved them there.

It is hoped adding them to the Local List, a wide-ranging list of historically important buildings and street furniture, would help secure their future.

Last month, Colchester Civic Society managed to secure the future of the town’s last remaining tram rails.

The small section of line was laid in a new pedestrian path linking Magdalen Street and Military Road at Host’s student rooms scheme in the area.

If you can help unravel the history of the historic tram poles, contact the society directly by visiting colchestercivicsociety.co.uk.