Cumberland 511, Whitehaven, 1975 - a photo on Flickriver

Cumberland 511, Whitehaven, 1975

            Working into Whitehaven from Thornhill, Cumberland 511 is pictured descending Inkerman Terrace (A5094), Whitehaven on the 1st August 1975. 

The ECW bodied Bristol FLF6G had been new to Cumberland Motor Services (CMS) in July 1961, were it was numbered C422. When CMS became part of the National Bus Company in 1968, it was renumbered 511. I can find no record for a disposal, so I assume the bus was likely scrapped after withdrawal?

Today, this scene isn't greatly changed from the 1975 view and is still recognisable. The railings and walls outside the houses on the left have been partly removed to make way for driveways. The road junction behind the bus, which was then the old Hensingham Road, is now widened and accommodates the Hensingham Bypass. 

Although in decline, mercury vapour street lighting was still in widespread use in 1975 as seen here. The miners' strikes a couple of years prior and the drastic rise in electricity costs, saw local authorities make a concerted move towards more economical low pressure sodium street lighting.  At the time of writing three of these old GEC mercury fittings still exist on steel columns on the road out of Workington to Maryport, although long out of use.

Sadly, Whitehaven town centre seems a shadow of its former self, the town appearing very run down on a recent visit. The old bus garage, bus station and engineering facility on Bransty Row / Wellington Row are gone. However, the facade of the original bus garage and bus station still stand. The frontages are now converted into two separate hostelries, The Peddler, a restaurant and bar, and The Bransty Arch, a  Wetherspoons establishment. The more modern bus garage and the bus parking area opposite have been pulled down and the land redeveloped. 

Post script - Thanks to Paul who points out from Rob Sly's website that this bus was withdrawn and scrapped in July 1978 and sold for scrap.

Taken on: July 16, 2022

Tags:

115DRM

CMS

511

c422

Whitehaven

Bristol

FLF6G

A5094

Inkerman Terrrace

cumberland motor services

ecw

red

poppy red

NBC

Thornhill

estate

route

service

SOA161M

jaguar

car

Hensingham Road « less

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