Some might argue that this busy road is still used as a race track
To provide work for the unemployed in Portsmouth, construction began on the Eastern Road in the 1920s. In the early years part of the southern end was used as a car racing track.
A tablet was unveiled on the bridge over the railway by the Lord Mayor, followed by a luncheon. The total cost of the road was £312,789.
Although the photograph, right, looking north to the railway bridge, is captioned as the opening ceremony, the road looks a little rough to me and appears to be asphalt.
There are many now living in the city who would have no idea that we once had a infectious diseases hospital. It was alongside Milton Road to the north of Milton Cemetery.
It opened in 1883 and was sometimes known as Milton Hospital until 1934.
From 1960 it was known as Priorsdean Hospital, and in 1967 was absorbed into St Mary’s Hospital, becoming the east wing.
The hospital closed in the 1990s and houses were built on the site.
Across Milton Road was Portsea Island Union House, although it was actually a workhouse. The proper address was St Mary’s Road. It was opened in 1846 after the original buildings in Old Portsmouth and Landport closed down.
Much of the original buildings remain and have been turned into residential use.
To the north was Kingston Gaol, below left. It was built in 1877 and over the years was used as a borstal. During the war it was a police station.
After capital punishment was abolished in 1965 the prison was used to hold inmates on life sentences. It later became the only