Fancy catching the tram from Blackpool to Preston? Well that is the plan that was revealed this week in the Blackpool Gazette as the area becomes the latest to latch onto the tram-train idea (or “hybrid” tram as the article puts it). Regeneration experts are keen for the area to bid for European funding to put the project in action.
The plan would see the current tramway link up to the Blackpool South railway line in the vicinity of the Pleasure Beach and would also serve the Airport before reaching Preston. When the trams reach the railway line they would switch from electric power to diesel
ReBlackpool – the regeneration company in the resort – is joining in partnership with Kassel (who already have tram-trains) and West Flanders (who operate a coastal tramway) to test the “new technology”. The bid will be headed up by Sir Peter Hall who up until this week was the chairman of ReBlackpool. It is expected that £50 million would be needed for the plan.
Kassel introduced the technology last year using Alstom Regio Citadis trams which can accelerate from 0 to 100kmph in 15 seconds. They also have 90 seats along with air conditioning and LCD information screens.
Michael Jack, Fylde MP, commented: “This idea makes a great deal of sense in terms of the importance of our part of the North West. If a hybrid solution is possible this puts the idea of a tram or light rail system into the realms of the feasible."
Doug Garrett, Chief Executive of ReBlackpool, said: “It makes sense if it can be made to work, but it's at a very early stage. The connection between the two systems would be tricky, for example one operates on low platforms, the other on high platforms, but these are all the issues which a feasibility study would look at. It's an exciting prospect. It would be a UK first for Blackpool."
Source: Blackpool Gazette