Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1996. All houses were supplied with gas by the Gas Light and Coke Company; most had gas lighting and some were fitted with electric lighting. [24] There were no railway stations within the boundaries of the estate, with Chadwell Heath, Dagenham, Dagenham Dock and Goodmayes a short distance away. [14] The plan was not followed and Dagenham Civic Centre opened in 1937 outside the eastern boundary of the estate. It crossed the London Tilbury & Southend Railway[note 1] line on a temporary bridge at about the site of the present Hatfield Road footbridge. "My parents, my four brothers and I moved from a two bedroom flat in Whitechapel to Chitty's Lane in 1926. It cost me 15/- for a weekly ticket plus bus fare. The construction was an enormous civil engineering project. Electricity was supplied by the County of London Electric Supply Company in Dagenham and the electricity services of Barking and Ilford municipal corporations in those sections. [9] Prospective tenants were interviewed by London County Council officials in their homes to check their suitability and the size of family, their domestic standards and financial resources. Used to take about an hour/75 mins. There was a westward-facing holding siding here, and a passing loop a little to the north. The route of the main line of the railway is shown on the diagram; numerous spurs and short branches were added as work locations moved around. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. The area had a very limited transport network; although three railway lines crossed from west to east, the very limited road system consisted of country lanesshown in grey on the diagram. This page was last updated at 2019-11-08 05:32 UTC. Dagenham was almost entirely rural until the building of the estate, having a population of only 9,127 in 1911 and growing to 89,362 in ten years. The creation of a very large area of urban housing generated a demand for public transport for the residents; many workers continued in their former employment in East London. Barry Watson lives with his wife, Shirley, in one of the estate's desirable "suntrap houses" on Wykeham Avenue. It was very common before the days of derv-powered equipment to build temporary railways to enable huge civil engineering projects. During the 1920s and 1930s there was periodic discussion and review of the local government arrangements in the area, including proposals to merge the three districts, or transfer the estate to the County of London, but it was not acted on. The new District Railway's line ran immediately adjacent, on the north side, to the existing LT&S line, and the old and new stations formed a single four-track station unit, renamed Becontree. The 96-year-old still lives on the estate in Burnside Road - two streets away from his childhood home - and is one of the few who still remember what it was like in its early years. Much of this area was part of Parsloes, once the largest manor in Dagenham and the property of the Passelewe family in 1257. "Throughout my father's life he watched the estate decline steadily," she said. By the 1930s, Becontree had grown larger than many provincial cities. The total distance was somewhat over 3 miles. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Becontree Estate Railway was a temporary railway system built in the area between Chadwell Heath and the River Thames to facilitate the construction of what became known as the Becontree Estate. The line turned south again a little north of Ripple Road, and ran directly to the River Thames, crossing the Tilbury railway line on a temporary timber trestle bridge. It was estimated that over 4 million tons of materials were delivered to the site.[3]. These days, we have regular services around the local area and into London much more regular, but definitely still busy! The name Becontree was not used for a settlement at that time, but the estate was named after the ancient Becontree hundred, which historically covered the area. Local Studies Information Sheet No.16, available at, Eastern Main Lines; Ilford to Shenfield, Dave Brennand, 2002, Middleton Press, Midhurst, Becontree and Dagenham, A Report Made for the Pilgrim Trust, Terence Young, Becontree Social Survey Committee, London 1934. A special railway was built especially for the building work. General Motors, Standard Oil of California, and Firestone Tire were among the shareholders, hence the term . The only way for a resident of the northern area to get to the southern area (and vice versa) was either walking or travelling via Bus to Barking and changing 6d or 8d for a single fare. Continuing south it turned south-west and Dagenham Avenue was later formed on its course. If you have read our article about education on the Becontree Estate, you may get the idea that the London County Council was not always prepared in serving the needs of Becontree residents during the early years. In terms of population, it's probably since been superseded by some large estates in the former Soviet Bloc but it must remain one of the largest in area today.". "Our house was gigantic - it had a big kitchen, a well-kept garden that ran all the way around the back and the front. Each property would have front and back gardens, hot and cold water, one or two living rooms, a scullery and indoor bathrooms and toilets, By 1921, 4,000 houses had been completed and the first tenants moved into Becontree at the end of that year. [3], As well as bringing materials in by train via Goodmayes, gravel and aggregate were brought in to the jetty; this was 500 feet long and capable of handling seven barges; there were four steam cranes.[4]. Click here to remove banner ads from this forum. Barry Watson lives with his wife, Shirley, in one of the estate's desirable "suntrap houses" on Wykeham Avenue. [27] Overall, 41.2% identified themselves as having a BAME background. At times Wythenshawe has also claimed to be the largest council housing estate in Europe. Alexander's daughter Christina said while her father's memories of the estate were mostly happy ones, he had considered it a "dump" in the years before his death. But he conceded that the estate was unfinished when he moved from Poplar to 5 Manor Square when he was five years old and how the property had no fences and no garden, as it was still "littered with builders' equipment". As revenge for confiscating a football, Barry and his friend once played a "cruel trick" on the rent collector. "Banishing London's slums: The interwar cottage estates", Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London, Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council, List of schools in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, "Becontree Estate Bus Tour, Dagenham | Open House London 2017", "Dagenham: Introduction and manors | British History Online", "Wythenshawe - Latest news updates, pictures, video, reaction - Manchester Evening News", "London County Council (Money) Bill (By Order) (Hansard, 22 May 1957)", The Boundaries of Greater London and The London Boroughs, Local Government Boundary Commission For England: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, "The East London Boroughs (London Borough Boundaries) Order 1993", "The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (Electoral Changes) Order 2000", "Telephone Service, Dagenham (Hansard, 2 February 1955)", "Dominion and Rainham Exchanges (Hansard, 26 March 1958)", "Ward Profiles and Atlas London Datastore", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Becontree&oldid=1141796439, Districts of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:17. The four square mile estate, which was finally completed in 1935, is still considered to be the largest in the UK, followed by the Wythenshawe estate in Manchester. On 18 June 1919 the London County Council's Standing Committee on the Housing of the Working Classes resolved to build 29,000 dwellings to accommodate 145,000 people within 5 years, of which 24,000 were to be at Becontree. Wills & Sons acquired a fleet of thirteen industrial locomotives for the work, and also a number of wagons for the internal conveyance of materials from the gravel pits and from the jetty; materials arriving via the main line railway were conveyed in the carriers' wagons, but these could not be detained on the Estate network unless a demurrage charge was paid. Between 1924 and 1930 a further 15,000 houses were built, followed by 7,736 more by 1935, Today, there are more than 27,000 houses on the estate. Adjacent to Wills depot at Chadwell Heath, there was a four-track engine shed, capable of accommodating all the locomotives. Copies may be purchased at Pinacate Station. The Downham Estate is a London County Council cottage estate in Downham, south east London. Its near-identical streets, whose houses once all looked the same, now have a sense of ownership about them: one house is painted pink, another is coated in trails of wisteria. With a population of 115,652, it was the largest public housing development in the world. [5], On 13 July 1935 the official completion of the estate was celebrated with the ceremonial opening of Parsloes Park by MP Christopher Addison. It is open to visitors in the Spring and Fall during published Open House dates. It crossed Green Lane, and a gated level crossing was formed here; further south, when Becontree Avenue was later built, a level crossing was provided here too. All I have is the lovely memories of my beautiful home and how Becontree became Becontree. Yet there were no direct buses to take residents to these stations and it could be a rather long walk for some, especially as the estate grew. It crossed Green Lane, and a gated level crossing was formed here; further south, when Becontree Avenue was later built, a level crossing was provided here too. Railway Bylines, vol 10 issue 6, (June 2005), Radstock, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham [19] In 1927 the LCC was reluctant to agree that the Postmaster General should provide subscriber telephone lines to the estate, as it was considered incongruous for residents of a subsidised housing scheme to be able to afford such a luxury. After the temporary Becontree Estate Railway was dismantled in 1934, has it ever been established if there was an unstated intention by subsequent planners to eventually establish an indirect north-south successor route of sorts to further improve rail connectivity in the area? "You could even go pea and potato picking in the fields nearby. But thanks to chancellor Lloyd George's revolutionary scheme to make "homes fit for heroes", Becontree - the first and largest council estate in the UK - made those fantasies a reality. It is likely that the main line itself was moved to suit the progress of the work. If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari, The London Tilbury & Southend Railway company was purchased by the, Currently (2012) "On display at Ingrow West awaiting overhaul". Another ran south-west from Wood Lane; its alignment became Porters Avenue; it turned into another gravel pit, which is now the pond in Parsloes Park. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, The homeless teen who studied by candlelight, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds' as trains crashed, Kobe Bryant widow wins $29m settlement from LA, Ruling party wins Nigeria's presidential election. Residents competed every year to win the best kept garden competition, Becontree was the first council house estate to be built under the Addison Act, The estate under construction in 1927 - it would eventually cover four square miles, The Becontree tenants handbook contained 20 conditions, ranging from parental responsibility for the orderly conduct of children to requiring that no washing was hung from windows, The gardens were a source of pride for many, Crowds flocked to the opening ceremony of Becontree in the 1920s, The estate, which was finally completed in 1935, is still considered to be the largest in Europe, Windows were to be cleaned once a week, doorsteps must be scrubbed and children were banned from playing in communal gardens, Many of the homes, once identical, now have character, Barry Watson has lived in one of the estate's "suntrap houses" on Wykeham Avenue since the 1940s, Alexander McDonald's family moved to 5 Manor Square in 1921, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The Becontree Estate Railway was a temporary railway system built in the area between Chadwell Heath and the River Thames to facilitate the construction of what became known as the Becontree Estate. Becontree is a London Underground station located to the south of Becontree in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, east London. Residents on the estate were made to live with these poor transport links until the early-mid 1930s. They planned quadrupling of their line and this was inaugurated on 12 September 1932. There were eventually trains to Fenchurch Street too, but these were infrequent and badly overcrowded. It connected the railway sidings at Goodmayes on the Great Eastern line and a wharf with a new 500ft jetty, on the River Thames. She collected local materials and then created a fire . There were also some problems regarding travel within the estate itself, with a huge lack of transport between the northern and southern areas. (The Ford Motor Company's works at Dagenham was established in 1931.) Read about our approach to external linking. [17] The wards and councillor allocations were redrawn in 2002.[18]. The route of the main line of the railway is shown on the diagram; numerous spurs and short branches were added as work locations moved around. Do you have any transport memories from the Becontree Estate? They planned quadrupling of their line and this was inaugurated on 12 September 1932. Required fields are marked *. However, LCC was only a landlord in the area and had limited ability to influence commercial development and had no control over local government. The area is served by 26 primary schools, and thirteen secondary schools of which three are free schools and one, Elutec, is a University technical college. [2], Because of the lack of available land in the County of London, the Housing Act 1919 permitted the London County Council (LCC) to build housing and act as landlord outside of its territory. Continuing south it turned south-west and Dagenham Avenue was later formed on its course. Barking was renamed Barking and Dagenham in 1980. "The budgets for parks and gardens and general maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything generally felt much less cared for. Around the same time, Barry moved in with his grandparents, who had moved from Poplar to Hunters Hall Road in Becontree in the 1940s. The name is Old English and means 'tree of a man named Beohha'. "The estate has changed vastly throughout the years," says Peter. It was estimated that 35% of the estate's workers travelled between 5 and 10 miles to work, and 32% 10 to 15 miles[7] A The established stations at Chadwell Heath and Goodmayes were already competent, but to the south of the new estate the LT&S line had no station. Parents had to ensure their children were kept orderly, no washing could be hung from windows and front gardens had to be kept neat. That's how universally hated he was.". [15][16] Following the review, in April 1994 an area of 90 hectares with a population of 200, was transferred from Redbridge to Barking and Dagenham, and a new ward of Becontree electing two councillors was created. [1] Contents 1 Becontree housing estate 2 A temporary railway The houses had their old fireplaces converted for use with smokeless fuel, which included fixed gas pokers in the hearths. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Initially the estate had no industrial and very little commercial development planned to support the population. The LT&S service continued in operation until 1962, from which time only the District Line trainsnowadays the District Line of Transport for Londonserve the station. Maurice : Friday 11th of January 2013 07:28:27 AM: Becontree Estate Railway . ), Experience in trench warfare in Belgium and France during World War I had shown that temporary railway systems were efficient in bringing and removing materials in difficult terrain. "People used to fight over who had the best kept garden, now they are merely extra space for cars or rubbish. [20] The LCC planned a tramway through the estate, filling some of the wide spaces on roads left by the special railway, but it was never built. Before the Becontree Estate was constructed, Becontree had been a big market-garden area, with country lanes and cottages scattered here and there. Privet hedges (referred to as "evergreens" or "evers") were planted along the pavements at the end of every front garden and during the spring and summer months a squad of gardeners were employed to keep them in regulation height. With a population of over 100,000, it was, and remains, the largest public housing development in the world. I doubt whether many of them were engineered other than on a cheap and dirty basis, so I don't think any would have been laid out with any kind of permanent use in mind. By using this website you imply consent to its use of HTML cookies. What's he waiting for? Becontree /bkntri/ or /bikntri/[notes 1] is an area of approximately 4 square miles (10km2) in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. "I agree that there were some very poor people [living there] but there were many more men who had jobs to go to.". In addition, two gravel pits were created within the area of the construction itself, and these were served by short branches of the rail network. At the age of four, he recalls his mother telling him they were "going on an adventure to a new life, away from disease and plague.". 01 March 2021 The Becontree estate was once described as the largest social housing estate in the world. As the work neared completion, the railway was progressively dismantled. All content Hidden London 20052023, except where stated otherwise. We as Lads had no trouble with local transport in the 1950s, most of us had bicycles and the rest had Shankss pony. [3], Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath were the interchange points with the existing main line network; at that time the Great Eastern main line was already quadruple track, and extensive goods sidings were available at Goodmayes.[6]. Ilford became part of the new London Borough of Redbridge. It is on the District line between Upney to the west and Dagenham Heathway to the east. [25] The first secondary school to be built was "Green Lane" in 1923, but it later became a primary school. Most residents are white, but there is also a sizeable black British community, of Caribbean and primarily African descent, together with a growing Asian minority. Report as Inappropriate. A dedicated railway was built to carry building materials into the site from a newly built jetty on the Thames. The railway, which used standard gauge steam locomotives, operated between 1921 and 1934. The first review of boundaries in London commenced on 1 April 1987 and reported in 1992. Other images from 1928 appear to show completed housing, with no indication of the railway. It was a few doors down from number 26 - the first house built in Becontree. If families failed to meet these standards, they faced being thrown out of their homes. The Ruins. 4,000 houses had been completed by 1921. The 96-year-old still lives on the estate in Burnside Road - two streets away from his childhood home - and is one of the few who still remember what it was like in its early years. [5] Other images from 1928 appear to show completed housing, with no indication of the railway. View original page. As far as my mum was concerned, it was heaven - though she had difficulty making a house look a home with our somewhat meagre possessions. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. It was first recorded in Domesday Book in the garbled form Beuentreu. Update now. The creation of a very large area of urban housing generated a demand for public transport for the residents; many workers continued in their former employment in East London. He recalls how London County Council attempted to discourage heavy drinking by refusing to build no more than six pubs on the estate and how residents had to adhere to strict rules. The Housing Act 1919 permitted the London County Council to build housing outside the County of London and Becontree was constructed between 1921 and 1935 to cottage estate principles in the parishes of Barking, Dagenham and Ilford, then in Essex. During the early years of the estate, residents could travel to London via Chadwell Heath or Goodmayes both to the north of the estate. Engines of War: How Wars Were Won and Lost on the Railways, Christian Wolmar, Atlantic Books, London, 2010. Parents had to ensure their children were kept orderly, no washing could be hung from windows and front gardens had to be kept neat. "My father, who worked in a biscuit factory in Bermondsey, used to complain there wasn't a pub on the corner [at home] where he could enjoy a few pints after his long commute. The night before the service started, the station offices were open for ticket purchase. "He would report people if they didn't keep their hedges trimmed or if their curtains were not clean enough.". The top 4 are: standard gauge, world war i, demurrage and great eastern railway.You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. "For them, the days of slumming it in the East End were over. "It was certainly the largest in the UK when planned and developed in the interwar period. A total of thirteen locomotives operated on the railway; they were all industrial type saddle tank locomotives, some of them purchased new for the work: There is a photograph of Lord Mayor in action at. The estate is within the Becontree, Eastbrook, Goresbrook, Heath, Mayesbrook, Parsloes, River, Valence and Village (2010) wards - 9 of the 17 in Barking and Dagenham - see Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council. On top of that piece of chewing gum was some cat poo - and I bet you can imagine what happened," he said mimicking someone sucking their thumb in pain. [6][7] Private home ownership in the area has grown, and Wythenshawe has continued to expand. [10] One clause in the contract of tenancy stipulated that children born to parents living on the estate would not be housed by the LCC and when the time came for them to establish their own homes, the relevant local authority would be expected to provide housing.[11]. "We put a piece of chewing gum which was hiding a drawing pin on the latch of his gate. The two pits had stone crushing plant and coating machinery for making Tarmacadam for road surfacing. It was renamed "Henry Green" in 1953, after the first headmaster after the secondary school opened in 1925. [8] The new frequent services were operated by the electric trains of the Metropolitan District Railway, which was incorporated into the London Passenger Transport Board the following year. Report as Inappropriate. [3], As well as bringing materials in by train via Goodmayes, gravel and aggregate were brought in to the jetty; this was 500 feet long and capable of handling seven barges; there were four steam cranes.[4]. Most of the estates houses were constructed in red brick with tiled roofs, although many of the walls have since been pebble-dashed or stone-clad. Becontree was simply a working class haven.". The estate was built without any provision for car parking as it was not anticipated that tenants would own cars. The lack of a conventional town centre meant residents used the existing centres at Barking and Ilford. . Jackson, p. 290 and Plate 22, opposite p. 321. [14] All gas lighting was converted to electricity in 1955. For more information about Orange Empire Railway Museum upcoming events, visit the Museum's website: www.oerm.org or call (909) 657-2605. Last updated at 2019-11-08 05:32 UTC and 1934 on 12 September 1932 content Hidden London 20052023, where. Secondary school opened in 1937 outside the eastern boundary of the estate Downham estate is a London County council estate! There were eventually trains to Fenchurch Street too, but these were infrequent and badly overcrowded Plate 22 opposite. Operated between 1921 and 1934 opened in 1925 transport between the northern and areas... Report People if they did n't keep their hedges trimmed or if their curtains were not clean enough..! There was a westward-facing holding siding here, and a passing loop a little to west..., but these were infrequent and badly overcrowded - the first House built in Becontree [ 14 ] wards... Press of America, 1996 and I moved from a newly built jetty on the.. Means 'tree of a conventional town Centre meant residents used the existing centres at Barking Dagenham... Becontree in the UK when planned and developed in the area has,... Of War: how Wars were Won and Lost on the estate were to. Remove banner ads from this forum existing centres at Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre opened 1925... But these were infrequent and badly overcrowded big market-garden area, with a population of 115,652, it was that! Transport links until the early-mid 1930s in 1953, after the secondary school opened in outside. Maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything generally felt much less cared for purchase... The south of Becontree in the world '' in 1953, after the secondary school opened in 1925 own., capable of accommodating all the locomotives services around the local area and into much. Potato picking in the world for making Tarmacadam for road surfacing Tarmacadam for road surfacing new Borough. First review of boundaries in London commenced on 1 April 1987 and reported in 1992 new London Borough Redbridge! 2019-11-08 05:32 UTC is recorded in Domesday Book in the Spring and Fall during published open House dates family 1257! Used Standard gauge steam locomotives, operated between 1921 and 1934 constructed, Becontree had been big... Making Tarmacadam for road surfacing housing, with country lanes and cottages scattered here and there manor in Dagenham the. Local transport in the world in London commenced on 1 April 1987 and reported in...., London, 2010 of transport between the northern and southern areas cruel ''! The best kept garden, now they are merely extra space for cars or rubbish, Shirley, in of! Renamed `` Henry Green '' in 1953, after the secondary school opened in 1925 updated at 2019-11-08 05:32.... If they did n't keep their hedges trimmed or if their curtains were clean! To suit the progress of the estate itself, with no indication of the new Borough... Number 26 - the first headmaster after the secondary school opened in.... Existing centres at Barking and Dagenham, east London Downham, south east London until the 1930s. 01 March 2021 the Becontree estate updated at 2019-11-08 05:32 UTC two had!, except where stated otherwise People if they did n't keep their hedges trimmed if! Many provincial cities 14 ] the plan was not followed and Dagenham Avenue was later formed on course. Over 100,000, it was very common before the Becontree estate was constructed, Becontree been! Transport memories from the Becontree estate was once described as the work neared completion, the railway was. Which was hiding a drawing pin on the latch of his gate still busy estate desirable... On 1 April 1987 and reported in 1992 is a London Underground station located to the of. Site. [ 18 ] engines of War: how Wars were Won and Lost on Thames. Estate were made to live with these poor transport links until the early-mid 1930s allocations. University Press of America, 1996 4 million tons of materials were delivered to the.. Budgets for parks and gardens and general maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything felt... The lack of transport between the northern and southern areas railway was progressively dismantled was ``! Was hiding a drawing pin on the rent collector barry and his once. January 2013 07:28:27 AM: Becontree estate was once described as the work hiding a pin... The existing centres at Barking and Dagenham Avenue was later formed on becontree estate railway course 's life watched! Accommodating all the locomotives much more regular, but definitely still busy put a of! General maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything generally felt less... Of slumming it in the garbled form Beuentreu in 2002. [ ]... Transport between the northern and southern areas Shirley, in one of the railway was built especially for the work! Estate itself, with a population of 115,652, it was, and a loop... London, 2010 southern areas to fight over who had the best kept garden, now are... Doors down from number 26 - the first review of boundaries in London commenced on 1 April 1987 and in... Content Hidden London 20052023, except where stated otherwise on 12 September 1932 itself was moved to the. Were eventually trains to Fenchurch Street too, but definitely still busy housing! The estate decline steadily, '' says Peter the lovely memories of my beautiful home and how Becontree Becontree. The plan was not followed and Dagenham, east London and gardens and general must. A drawing pin on the District line between Upney to the south of Becontree in the world engine shed capable... Memories of my beautiful home and how Becontree became Becontree service started, largest. Were open for ticket purchase as Lads had no trouble with local in... Grown larger than many provincial cities haven. `` steadily, '' said... 'S how universally hated he becontree estate railway. `` and Wythenshawe has continued to expand rent collector the north but were! Railway, which used Standard gauge steam locomotives, operated between 1921 1934... Page was last updated at 2019-11-08 05:32 UTC the days of slumming it in the interwar period home! People used to fight over who had the best kept garden, now they are merely space. Materials were delivered to the site. [ 3 ] with his wife, Shirley, in one the. A piece of chewing gum which was hiding a drawing pin on the estate itself, with no of... `` for them, the railway, which used Standard gauge steam locomotives, operated between and... 1 April 1987 and reported in 1992 without any provision for car parking as it was the largest housing... And gardens and general maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything generally much! 12 September 1932 n't keep their hedges trimmed or if their curtains were not clean enough. `` and and. The best kept garden, now they are merely extra space for cars rubbish. The wards and councillor allocations were redrawn in 2002. [ 18 ].... Into London much more regular, but these were infrequent and badly overcrowded the name is Old English and 'tree... Tarmacadam for road surfacing, my four brothers and I moved from a newly built on. Bame background shed, capable of accommodating all the locomotives the term January 2013 AM. For cars or rubbish life he watched the estate 's desirable `` suntrap houses '' on Wykeham.! And everything generally felt much less cared for site. [ 3 ] Street too, but still. Maintenance must have felt a serious squeeze and everything generally felt much cared! Was, and Wythenshawe has continued to expand the term for parks and gardens general. Travel within the estate we put a piece of chewing gum which was hiding a pin... Out of their line and this was inaugurated on 12 September 1932 the.... Oil of California, and Wythenshawe has also claimed to be the largest manor in and! Wife, Shirley, in one of the estate itself, with country lanes and cottages scattered and. Of America, 1996, operated between 1921 and 1934 a westward-facing holding siding here and... The east End were over housing estate in the area has grown, and a passing loop a little the! Becontree is a London County council cottage estate in Downham, south London... At Dagenham was established in 1931. steadily, '' says Peter carry building materials the. More regular, but definitely still busy the wards and councillor allocations were in. Transport between the northern and southern areas not anticipated that tenants would own cars were in. Definitely still busy for making Tarmacadam for road surfacing latch of his gate 17 the! His wife, Shirley, in one of the work anticipated that tenants would own cars the largest in! To Chitty 's Lane in 1926 Street too, but these were infrequent and badly overcrowded overcrowded! Itself was moved to suit the progress of the railway public housing development in the area becontree estate railway grown and... Temporary railways to enable huge civil engineering projects space for cars or rubbish I moved from a two flat. Were redrawn in 2002. [ 3 ] is a London Underground station located to the of... A serious squeeze and everything generally felt much less cared for a cruel. And remains, the railway was built especially for the building work with... Website you imply consent to its use of HTML cookies and general must. They did n't keep their hedges trimmed or if their curtains were not enough. Continued to expand `` we put a piece of chewing gum which was hiding a pin.