The eight BT Telephone Exchanges (and five former) in the Pontefract (01977) telephone area
Ackworth former ATE
We understand that the former Ackworth telephone exchange was situated in Bell Lane, Ackworth, Pontefract WF7 7JH.
It is believed to have come into service around 1950 as a UAX13 to replace a manual exchange that was behind the post office in Bell Lane.
It closed around 1970.
Its dialling code was 097 763.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Featherstone former ATE
The former Featherstone exchange stood opposite Jardine Avenue in Green Lane, Featherstone, Pontefract WF7 6JX.
A UAX13, it closed around 1970 and has since been demolished.
Its dialling code was 097 762.
Castleford ATE
Castleford telephone exchange is in Bradley Street, Castleford WF10 1TE and also serves the surrounding area.
The current exchange is visible to the right of this photograph, which shows the former post office and automatic telephone exchange (now a Wetherspoons pub) which it replaced.
Its telephone codes include 01977-51, 01977-52, 01977-55, 01907-603, 01977-604, 01977-605 and 01977-669.
The dialling code of its predecessor exchange was 097 75.
ID: MYCAS. Photo courtesy of Ian S.
Hemsworth ATE
Hemsworth telephone exchange is in Westfield Road, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4LG Â and also serves the surrounding area.
The end of the building is just visible at the left of this picture. It came into service around 1970.
Its telephone codes include 01977-61 and 01977-624.
Its former dialling code was 097 761.
ID: MYHMW. Photo courtesy of Betty Longbottom.
Hemsworth former Manual Exchange
Hemworth’s former manual exchange is in The Mount, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4QE.
It was replaced around 1927 with another manual exchange at 61 Westfield Road, which was run until his death in 1936 by Joseph Crawshaw.
The building is now a private house called The Old Telephone Exchange.
ID: MYHMW. Photo courtesy of Betty Longbottom.
Knottingley ATE
Knottingley telephone exchange is in Hill Top, Knottingley WF11 8EX and also serves the surrounding area.
It came into service around 1957 to replace a CBS2 manual exchange.
Its telephone codes include 01977-607, 01977-63 and 01977-67.
Its former dialling code was 097 765.
ID: MYKNO. Picture (1957) courtesy of BT Archives.
Pontefract ATE
Pontefract telephone exchange is in Newgate, Pontefract and also serves the surrounding area.
Designed by architect A Lloyd Spench, it came into service in the late 1950s to replace a CBS exchange.
Its telephone codes include 01977-69, 01977-600, 01977-601, 01977-602 and 01977-606.
Its former dialling code was 0977.
ID: MYPON. Photo courtesy of Betty Longbottom.
South Elmsall ATE
South Elmsall telephone exchange is in Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, Pontefract WF9 2PU and also serves the surrounding area.
Its telephone codes include 01977-608, 01977-609, 01977-64 and 01977-65.
Its former dialling code was 097 760.
ID: MYSEM. Photo courtesy of Betty Longbottom.
South Milford ATE
South Milford telephone exchange is in Low Street, South Milford, Leeds LS25 5AS and also serves the surrounding area.
It came into service around the early 1970s to replace a UAX13.
Its telephone codes include 01977-68.
Its former dialling code was 097 768.
ID: MYSML. Awaiting photo.
South Milford former ATE
The former South Milford telephone exchange was located in Milford Road, South Milford LS25 5AD. It came into service in the late 1930s as a UAX13 to replace a manual exchange and later gained a reinforced concrete extension.
It has since been demolished and replaced by a private dwelling.
Its former dialling code was 097 768.
ID: MYSML. Picture courtesy of BT Archives.
Wentbridge ATE
Wentbridge telephone exchange is off Water Lane, Kirk Smeaton, Pontefract WF8 3JZ and also serves the surrounding area.
It came into service oin the early 1970s to replace a UAX13 (location unknown) opened around 1950.
Its telephone codes include 01977-620 and 01977-621.
The dialling code of its predecessor exchange was 097 764.
ID: MYWEN. Awaiting photo.
Whitley Bridge ATE
Whitley Bridge telephone exchange is in Selby Road, Eggborough, Goole DN14 0LT and also serves the surrounding area.
It was opened to replace the UAX13 on a neighbouring site.
Its telephone codes include 01977-661, 01977-662 and 01977-663.
Its former dialling code was 097 766.
ID: MYWBG. Photo courtesy of Alan Murray-Rust.
Whitley Bridge former ATE
The former Whitley Bridge telephone exchange stood in Selby Road, Eggborough, Goole DN14 0LT.
A UAX13 was opened here in the 1940s to replace an earlier exchange. It has since been demolished and replaced by a house which bears a stone plaque inscribed with ‘The Old Exchange’.
Its former dialling code was 097 766.
ID: MYWBG. Photo courtesy of Alan Murray-Rust.
Other former Pontefract Exchanges
- Methley Former ExchangeThe former Methley exchange stood in Savile Road, Methley, Leeds LS26. Opened as a UAX12, it closed in the early 1970s. Its dialling code was 097 767.
- Upton Former ExchangeThe former Upton exchange was a UAX6, later a UAX13. Its location is unknown to us. Its dialling code was 097 769.