TRAMWAYS AT HOME.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1930, 1 May 1880, Page 3

TRAMWAYS AT HOME.

In an article on tramways tbe “Architect ” says:—“ From a primitive tramroad at a colliery the tramways spread over the world may be said to have been derived, but a few years ago a tramway was not to bo found in an English town or upon a public road. Since 1870 they have extended prodigiously throughout the country. In that period 233 miles have been laid down in England and Wales, at a cost of £2,870,462 exclusive of the outlay on horses, engines, and cars. When it is remembered that lands or houses have rarely to be purchased, and that the works are of the simplest kind, it appears almost incredible that to adapt a street or road to the use of a tramway needs an average expenditure of £12,320 per mile. But if the tramways in town are alone considered, the rate per mile is far higher. On less than six miles in Liverpool the sum of £171,000 was expended. It cost one company in London £320,000 to construct 20:1 miles of tramway ; while another expended the enormous sum of £761,000 on 321 miles, or nearly double the average rate. Including all expenses, the capital laid out on the above tramways amounted to £3,489,386. The tramways in Scotland have been more cheaply constructed, as the coat of 42J miles was £490,523, or an average of £11,400 per mile, and all the lines, it should be remembered, are in towns or suburban districts. The Irish tramways are nearly at the same rate, 45 miles costing £498,330. In Great Britain there were altogether 321 i miles open at the end of last June, involving an outlay of £4,861,847 before a passenger could be carried. As the maintenance of way costs about £60,000 per annum, it may bo said that the line cannot be kept in order without a disbursement of £2OO yearly on every mile of its length. There is, however, another side of the account. In the last year alone about 150,000,000 passengers were conveyed in the cars, and their fares amounted to £1,159,835. If this sum could be divided, the shareholders would have no reason to grumble ; but when the expenses are deducted, only £193,040 is available for dividends, or no more than 4i per cent, on the capital.”