The history of Broadview Avenue/Arthur Road/Herbert Road dates back to the 1930s. As can be seen from the plans below the grandly named Broadview Garden Estate consisted of Broadview Avenue, Herbert Road and Arthur Road. The estate was sold off as individual plots of land for residents to build their own property on but the developer had a series of designs that had to be used hence the reason many of the houses have a similar look and feel despite the years that have passed. Interestingly Thames Avenue wasn't included in the original plans so was probably included when Orchard Street was extended to meet the road between Broadview Avenue and Arthur Road.

 

The history of Broadview Avenue/Arthur Road/Herbert Road dates back to the 1930s as can be seen from the plans below the grandly named Broadview Garden Estate

 

What is now Orchard Street was at the time just a road that joined Broadview Avenue through to Arthur Road. It didn't continue any further towards Rainham although the Church path footpath did exist and Maidstone Road also continued to the A2.

The adverts offered a choice of building plots from £30 Freehold and boasted of Company Water mains on the estate and gas supply being available, that roads and paths would be made and offered Railway Bus and Tram services. It was described as "The finest building estate in Kent".

The vendor was C.E. Andrews of Wigmore House, Wigmore, Chatham (interesting that it was Chatham not Gillingham given as the address)

You can see the rural nature of Rainham at the time of the land sales in this 1930 aerial photo of Rainham

 

You have no rights to post comments