- Crown Square
Crown Square is the name of a
roundabout in the middle of Matlock,Derbyshire and, until 2005, when amini roundabout was added at the junction of Causeway Lane and Steep Turnpike, it was the only roundabout in the town.Crown Square takes its name from the Crown Hotel which used to occupy a prominent position at the foot of
Bank Road , a steephill which rises from Crown Square upMatlock Bank to Wellington Street.Between 1893 and 1927 Crown Square was home to a shelter for the
Matlock Cable Tramway , a cable tramway which ran alongBank Road , from Crown Square to Wellington Street. Conceived by Job Smith, the tram was inspired bySan Francisco 's famous cable cars, and cost £20,000. When it was built it was the steepest tramway in the world at a gradient of 1 in 5½, and it rose 300 feet. It ceased operation after losing business to cars and buses. The shelter was moved and is now housed in nearbyHall Leys Park close to thewar memorial .In 2004 and 2005 the
Tour of Britain passed through Crown Square as part of theEast Midlands stage of the cycle race.In the centre of the Crown Square roundabout is a statue of a crown, which features on the crest of Matlock
Town Council . However, most years, it is removed "for safe keeping" during theChristmas andNew Year party season since it was "borrowed" a few years ago by partygoers.
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