View from the level crossing in Elm Road

Image: © Marathon Taken: 5 Jun 2013

In 1834 an Act for building a railway between London and Southampton received Royal Assent. Local councillors in Kingston, coupled with the coaching interests and Lord Cottenham, owner of much of the land between Kingston and Wimbledon, objected to the railway running through the town, and so the railway was forced to pass a mile and a half to the south. The inhabitants of Kingston soon started clamouring for a direct railway line to the town. The railway finally came to Kingston in 1863 by the rather roundabout route from Twickenham. Continued grumbling at the lack of a direct route to London led to the continuation of this line in 1869 to join the main line at New Malden. This is the down line of 1869 seen here from the level crossing in Elm Road, just after it leaves the main line ahead. This passes over Elm Road via a bridge. A train passes overhead on the up slow main line. The office block in the distance is opposite New Malden station.

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