Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History The Blackout

Due to the number of accidents, the government eased up a little and allowed pedestrians to have a torch whilst walking in the dark, only to be shone downwards and for the beam to dimmed by covering the lens with paper or the like, the only problem was, there was a shortage of batteries, so people scuttled around in the dark anyway.
To help motorists, white lines were painted down the center of roads, which we still have today.

I think white lines in the road's started out in the 1920's, but i'm sure i read somewhere they where made of a reflective material but before the war it was little more than a thick white paint.

Absolutely right Historybook, the first lines were used about 1918/20 ish, mainly on major roads, to help in the blackout, lines were painted on minor roads that normally wouldn't have had them, also lines in the gutter to help pedestrians.

I remember that. I was 8 at the time and I remember going out into the road and seeing all the street lamps on. It was magical; still one of my strongest memories.

Think they have now repainted the gutter ones in a yellow colour now - even doing an extra line in some cases for benefit of those whose eyesight are poor

Yes, Derek; problem is, they aren't as visible as the white ones (well, that's my excuse).

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Dedicated to one of Chris's happy memories

Hi regarding the comment about a ladys memories of the bombings- I met a lovely old lady, who was sharp as a pin an full of memories, i used to help care for her as i worked for care in the community.
She lived in a side street ,in wallasey off the cherry tree centre, and had lived there all her life,originally with her mum ,dad,an family. the back living room was like goin back in time to the 40's!- she d kept all the old hearth, furniture, radio, old photies, an rugs just the way it was when her mum an dad where there -it was lovely! any way sorry I digress- she told me about the bombings an how her mother wouldnt let them go to the airaid shelters, she didnt like or trust them, so mum used to get under the kitchen table, and the girls had to stand under the stairs.
She said this one particular night, the bombs were heavy an her an her sister an the dog were under the stairs,-"just there" she said pointing to it! an there were loud bangs an thuds, an the girls were scared, an she looked at her dog who was sittin with them an said " Are we goin to die?" an she said the dog looked at her an then gave one nod of his head..!
Then there was an extremely loud bag an the house shook.. Turns out the houses opposite hers had been hit.
There are now newer houses in their place, hers an her side of the road still stand.

Thanks for sharing that story Betty.

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Should mention the unsavory side of living in the Blackout, the increase in crime, though house burglaries never really increased due to the burglar couldn't tell whether the lights were on or not within a property, sheds and garages, cars etc were prime targets. People who grew vegetables in their gardens and allotment holders had their produce taken in hours of darkness, street muggings also increased.

You re welcome!

I live in Stoneby Drive off mount road in Wallasey and there was an unexpolded bomb found in our back garden in the 70's I think! Also we have a new build house in the street where apparentley a house was blown up!