The line for the centre of Southport was electrified in 1901. The Southport and Birkdale Tramway company was formed in 1881 and during this era a tram line ran from London Square to Kew Gardens and the Crown Hotel in Liverpool Road. Southport Corporation purchased the Southport portion of the line in 1899 and in 1918 the Corporation combined the system and this included Birkdale. The electric trams were replaced by omnibus vehicles in January 1935.