Princes End

Princes End is an area of Tipton, West Midlands, England, near the border with Coseley, which was heavily developed during the 19th century with the construction of factories. Several hundred terraced houses were built around the same time to accommodate the factory workers. Many council houses were built in the area between 1920 and 1980, as well as many private houses.

Neighbourhoods

The centre of Princes End is situated on the A4037 Dudley - Wednesbury main road. It includes shops, flats and houses.

Other neighbourhoods in Princes End include the Tibbington, Moat Farm and Glebefields council estates. The established residential areas of Ocker Hill and Wednesbury Oak are also part of Princes End.

Railway

Princes End had two railway stations, but neither are in existence now. One was Princes End and Coseley railway station, which was situated on the line between Dudley and Bilston. It closed in 1962 under the Beeching Axe and by the end of the 1960s the line was in total disuse.

The other station, Princes End railway station, closed in 1916 under a wartime economy measure, although the line - which ran to Wednesbury - remained open to goods trains until 1981.

Angle Ring

Princes End has been home to the Angle Ring factory since 1951. It is located on Bloomfield Road, southwards of Princes End in the direction of Dudley.

British Rolling Mills

Opposite the angle ring stood the British rolling mills, which opened in the 19th century and remained in use until 2005, by which time it was part of Brymill. The buildings, including the offices and laboratories which had only been built in 1959, were demolished in the autumn of 2006 and construction of houses began shortly afterwards, and the new housing estate's construction is well underway with some homes already occupied by summer 2008.

However, one of the more modern factory and office units used by Brymill is still standing, although currently disused it has been retained for eventual sale due to its age.

Unemployment

In the 2001 census, it was revealed that Princes End had the highest unemployment rate in Sandwell.

See also

* List of closed railway stations in Britain