SILVERTOWN TRAMWAY

In 1850 the Victoria Dock Company was authorised by Act of Parliament to construct a dock east of Bow Creek and immediately north of the Stratford - North Woolwich railway. The entrance to the dock cut across the railway and to avoid disruption to traffic the North Woolwich branch was diverted around the north side of the dock, to rejoin the original line about three-quarters of a mile west of the terminus. The original line was retained to provide railway connections to the numerous factories which sprang up along the river bank crossing the entrance to Victoria Dock by a swing bridge; it was known as the Silvertown Tramway.

Little remains of the Silvertown Tramway today except at Silvertown where the junction with the North Woolwich line can still be seen at Silvertown Station. Immediately west of the station a level crossing, complete with gates and embedded track is still extant between Factory Road and North Woolwich Road. Beyond the level crossing the tramway continues as a footpath.

[Source: Nick Catford]

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