While there were lots of Trollybus routes in SW, West and North London the only ones in SE London were those which ran from Woolwich to Bexleyheath. The 698 via Abbey Wood and Erith. Also the 696 via Wickham Lane and Welling. The trollybuses were originally conceived to replace London's trams, but the programme was halted before they were all converted. The remaining trams were then all converted to diesel buses. The last were in the Woolwich area in July 1952, ( the last tram was numbered coincidentally 1952). Trollybuses followed suit around ten years later. See the South London Trolleybus Proposals The Central Repair Depot of the LCC Tramways was located at Charlton, and as such, was one of the most advanced depots in the country. It was also used for trolleybuses, and was about two miles from the nearest trolleybus overhead at Woolwich Also the network at Woolwich was cut off from the rest of London's network. The 696 was converted from the 96 tram which ran to Horns Cross, (near todays Bluewater). it was replaced by a 96 bus which ran to Dartford, but has now been extended to the new Bluewater shopping complex. In 1958 service 96 was a long standing route from Redbridge to Putney. On 20 August 1958 it was withdrawn. Just in time to make its way to SE London in March 1959. The 698 trollybus was replaced by the 229 bus, the route was then extended to Orpington station. A 132 bus also ran from Woolwich to Bexleyheath via Erith. The route then went to Danson Road, and on to Eltham Well Hall. Previous to London Transport the tram routes were run by Bexley, Dartford, and Erith Councils. Bexley took over the Dartford system after a disasterous depot fire on August Bank Holiday 1917 which destroyed all the Dartford Fleet. During a very short period in the summer of 1914 it was possible to see at Bexleyheath Clock Tower apple green and cream Erith cars, dark brown Bexley cars, standard LCC E/1s on the Sunday extension of route 38 from Wickham Lane and finally dark red and cream Dartford trams. Trams of four undertakings at one location was a rarity in London.