Since work on the Blackpool North Railway Station tramway extension resumed at the start of June there hasn’t been a large amount of obvious progress as a great deal of preparation has been needed first. But as from Monday 7th September major signs of progress will be visible as the Wilkinson’s building will start to be demolished necessitating road closures in the local area.
As we’ve mentioned many a time the site of Wilkinson’s is needed to not only construct the new tramway terminus but also a hotel complex and has long been considered a blocker to further construction works. The store finally closed in March this year with contractors then moving on site from the start of June to prepare for the demolition.
Road and footpaths in the vicinity of the building will be closed and temporary traffic lights installed to allow traffic to continue moving around this area of Blackpool. It is hoped that pavements will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so with the temporary traffic lights in place for four weeks.
The demolition of Wilkinson’s is just one part of the project for trams to run up Talbot Road to the new terminus as although track was laid as part of a previous stage other infrastructure such as overhead will need to be installed along with other finishing works. The new terminus will also need to be built and the previous schedule released by Blackpool Council suggested this would be done in the period January to May 2021. The complete project – including hotel – is due to be completed by April 2022.
Is battery a possibility for this extension, with recharging at Blackpool North Station Terminus?
Why would they spend all that money on new technology when the poes are in place?