Railways in Thames Ditton

From Dittopedia

The railways transformed communications in north-east Surrey. The new era began in 1838 with the opening of the first section of the London-to-Southampton Railway from Nine Elms to Woking. In 1839, the company's name was changed to London and South Western Railway. ^[1]

There had been strong opposition from Thames Ditton folk from 1833 to 1838, as some good agricultural land and commonland was lost. But financial compensation calmed many protesters, and there were large payments of local rates by the rail company to help public funds. ^[1]

The line crossed Ditton Marsh, so that was the name given to the nearest station. The name was subsequently changed to Esher and Claremont, then Esher for Sandown and now just Esher. ^[1]

In 1849 came the branch line to Hampton Court, with a proper station for Thames Ditton in 1851-2, an event occurred which was to transform life in the village. Initially the trains were pulled by horses from the junction at Surbiton station -- then called Kingston-on-Railway. They must have been a fine sight as they moved between cornfields. The new transport quickly led to the break-up of estates and to the large-scale development of houses. Old names likes Great Basing Field and Little Basing Field, Church Fields and Hoo Lane ceased to have any meaning. Only the elderly talked of Ditton Street and Ditton Marsh. Rare examples of old big houses which proved adaptable were Boyle Farm, Newlands and the Old Manor House. ^[1]

Impact on the local economy

The old closed life of the village, based on a hierarchical society, changed forever. The old aristocracy remained, such as Lord St. Leonards, Lord Chancellor of England, in his house in Boyle Farm, but industry (for example, at the bronze factory), together with easy access to London, brought new people and new developments. Marie Lloyd sang at the Albany Music Hall down by the river, George Bernard Shaw took delivery of his new AC car, Thames Ditton boats helped at Dunkirk and the Milk Marketing Board was built -- and then pulled down to make room for yet more houses. ^[2]

References

• 1. Burchett, P. 1984. A Historical Sketch of THAMES DITTON. Surrey: Thames Ditton and Weston Green Residents' Association. ISBN 0-904-81120-4.
• 2. John Lyon

Calendar 2-Nov

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