West Street in 1905

Road building has not kept pace with the growth of Bourne over the years and West Street is now a busy thoroughfare which brings a constant stream of heavy traffic through the town centre each day.
This tranquil Edwardian scene from 1905 is undisturbed by such hazards even on the busiest days when the vehicles were mainly horse-drawn and children could often be seen playing in the streets.
The gas lamps are among the 56 which lit the pavements of Bourne at that time while many of the buildings seen here are familiar today and most remain in useful occupation although the tenants and their trades have in some cases changed.