Closure of Route
March 31st, 1939.
Blackburn Times April 7th, 1939.
Jolly Last Tram to Cherry Tree.
With fitting ceremony Blackburn withdrew trams from the Cherry Tree section on Friday (in favour of buses), just 40 years to the day after electric tramcars started to run to Witton Stocks, subsequently lengthened to Cherry Tree in 1903. All along the route considerable interest was taken in the last tram, which started from the Boulevard at 11-5 p.m., with Driver Robert Barker in charge. Mr. J. E. Bury, the conductor, also had the experience of taking the last tram on the Audley section, the first length of tramways in the borough to be scrapped in favour of buses, in February, 1935. A big crowd had gathered at the terminus to see the tram begin it's last journey from Cherry Tree. Some placed halfpennies on the line so that the tram (No. 70 ), might turn them into souvenirs. Councillor Tempest, wearing the conductors cap, utilised the opportunity to collect £2-1s, for the Mayoress's Infirmary Fund. Thus the trams made their exit from the Cherry Tree section, and Saturday morning saw the start of the new bus service.
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