Mail Coach to Motorway Coach : The Story of Birch Brothers Limited

The Birch family name is synonymous with road transport. Their interests can be traced back to the late eighteenth century when they operated a mail-coach service in the Plymouth area. In 1810, William Birch moved to London and went on to establish a horse-cab business in 1846. The company then began building bodies for lorries and buses from 1887, becoming known for their innovative approach, such as introducing diesel engines in taxis in the early 1950s.

From 1905 Birch became one of the pioneers of motorbus operation in London, although they reverted to using horse buses until ceasing bus operations in 1912. They returned to this in the capital in 1923, but with the looming threat of the London Passenger Transport Act in 1933 launched a successful express route between London and Bedford, later extending to Rushden and Kettering, in 1928. Although London Transport took over the London routes operated by Birch in 1934, between 1928 and 1966 the company acquired seventeen operators in North Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. These were run successfully until the late 1960s, when Birch sold out to United Counties. A private-hire business in Kentish Town remained until it was sold to the George Ewer Group in 1971, the company then ceasing all operations.

David Beddall tells the fascinating story of Birch Brothers and their legacy for the road transport industry.