Trams were delayed on the Blackpool Tramway for several hours on Wednesday 29th August after a car crashed through the barriers close to Cavendish Road tramstop. The BMW – which must have been travelling at a fair speed judging by the damage caused – ended up on the tracks having crashed through the concrete barriers which protect the tramway at this point with no trams able to travel between Bispham and Cabin for three hours.
The 22 year old driver of the car – who suffered non-serious injuries in the crash – was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and possessing cannabis but has since been released without charge. Lancashire Police have confirmed that he will be dealt with using a community resolution – this could include an apology to the Police officer who attended the scene of the crash.
For the three hours immediately following the incident trams were only running Starr Gate to Cabin and Bispham to Fleetwood Ferry. Services resumed once the scene had been cleared.
And talking of split services the dreaded illuminations switch-on split service will return on Friday 31st August because of the switch-on concert taking place at the Tower Headland. This year with Britney Spears also appearing in concert the following day the split service will be seen on consecutive days.
On both Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September trams will run as normal until 1300 after which a service will only run from Starr Gate to Central Pier and North Pier to Fleetwood Ferry. It had originally been planned to run from Starr Gate to Tower but the Tower Headland setup is different this time which means trams can’t run in service this far north but trams will still use the crossover at Tower to return south. The frequency will be every 15 minutes in the southern section and every 12 to Fleetwood Ferry.
In one pleasing development through tickets will be honoured so there is no need to buy separate tickets this year although there will be a walk involved to get between trams.
As a result of the concerts there will be no heritage tram services on either day with the first illumination tours for 2018 taking place on Sunday 2nd September.