British Ocean Giant Liners at Southampton Eastern Docks 1931

By 1931, a tram passed through the Bargate every 30 seconds and over the course of 14 hours, 2000 cars and 6000 bicycles would use the same narrow passage between Above Bar and the High Street. The photographs illustrate the problem. Several old buildings and part of the medieval walls were demolished on both sides of the Bargate. In 1932, the Bargate was bypassed on its eastern side. The Bargate became an island when it was bypassed on its western side in 1938. The Clock Tower, further up Above Bar at the junction with New Road, was relocated to Bitterne Park Triangle in 1934 to facilitate further road improvements.