ROADWORKS 1964

Pen and Ink with watercolour wash. Original size 30 x 21cm

And this is a sketch of the road alterations at the Oxford Street/Ann Street junction in preparation for the new bridge. Tedfords Chandlers is just behind double decker bus on right. Elliot's Fancy Dress Hire is, I think, the building directly behind the one being demolished in the centre. Wonder what the tarpaulin is for that is hung from the second floor of that building?

The canvas hut in the centre, behind the striped bollard, was associated with the pedestrian underpass being built at the same time.

I suspect the jaunty angle of the lamp-post is a hangover from the days when they used to carry the trolley wires.

Hey there are no traffic lights and no-one controlling the traffic. I remember it was chaotic - perhaps that was why. Wonder how long that bloke on the left waited to cross the road?

Your Responses

John R. remembers:-
"This was a busy corner. In the morning between 7 and 9 am the corner would be black with dock, coal and shipyard workers, hundreds of men on foot heading over the Queens Bridge to work.....The double decker buses would be standing room only.....Across the road the first house used to be a diner upstairs..."
To read his memories in full click on Oxford Street/Ann Street junction at bottom of page.

Share your memories, discuss this article at the bottom of the page OR e-mail ypam-online@bbc.co.uk .