What is the future for the Blackpool Tramway?
Blackpool Council, Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Transport Services asked the Government to support the Blackpool Tramway’s replacement with a modern tram system using modern vehicles with full disabled accessibility (Disability Discrimination Act compatible) and a better ride.
Funding for a £85.3 million refurbishment of the system was announced last year.
The upgrade will bring the network up to 21
st century standards and boost regeneration of the area. This investment is the centrepiece of the Government's forthcoming response to the Blackpool Task Force report, which recommended ways to regenerate the area.
Ongoing work, carried out by Birse Civils, Colas and the Council has also taken place over the last two years to upgrade sections of the existing track using £11.8M of emergency funding. Improvements will include refurbishment of the track and tram stops out to Fleetwood, as well as 16 new fully accessible trams. The historic trams will continue to serve Blackpool's famous seafront promenade. Funding has come from the Department of Transport, Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council.