I remember when the Walsall Rd (A34) and the Aldridge Rd (A453) were single carriageway roads. I think the old pic below shows the Aldridge Rd between the Tame Bridge and Perry Barr, but here is something unusual in this 1960s pic namely the No 51 bus which appears to be 'off route'. The No 51 usually travelled from the Scott Arms along the Walsall Rd through Perry Barr to the city centre. The Midland Red originally ran the Nos 188 (Beeches Estate), 119 (Scott Arms), and 118 (Walsall) in the Great Barr district and when the River Tame flooded, these buses diverted along Church Lane on to the Aldridge Rd. Sometime around 1960, B.C.T. took over the 188 and 119 services numbering them 52 and 51. Flood prevention work eventually removed the need for diversions so there must be another reason for this number 51 travelling off route.
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The old 1960's pic,
note the small window position
on the white house, also the chimney style.
View attachment 96862
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Todays pic,
those windows etc are circled.
The house looks as if it is being demolished.
View attachment 96863
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This pic shows the Walsall Rd and original single carriageway on the left, it looks slightly similar to the old pic. The 51 bus would have gone along here before diversion.
View attachment 96864
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It could be the wrong number on the bus !
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