Another update from Blackpool as we see the latest update from the overhead installation at Talbot Square. This is all part of the work to construct the extension of the Blackpool Tramway from the current Promenade line at North Pier, through Talbot Square (where an outbound platform is provided) and then up Talbot Road to a new terminus which is being built on the site of the former Wilko’s store just before Blackpool North Railway Station (on a site which will also be the home of a new hotel and restaurant – all as part of the Talbot Gateway development). The last estimate for tram services to get underway was early 2021 but nothing official has been mentioned in that regard for a while.
As we’ve seen over the past few weeks the overhead installation so far has mainly been concentrated on the section in Talbot Square and connecting to the Promenade line. Wire is string on both the north and south curves and recent days have seen more and more frogs put in to allow trolley fitted trams to head on the extension. A little further up the road and span wires have been put up as far as the junction with Abingdon Street. There is no date for when the overhead work may be completed but the number of cherry pickers on site keeps fluctuating between two and four!
It was a two cherry picker day on Friday 20th August! Here they are both seen in the compound in Talbot Square.
Looking north where the north curve disappears up Talbot Road this shows the state of the wires here.
Is that a stray seagull flying past at just the wrong time!? Here we are looking south with one of the diamond frogs in place. There are now diamond frogs on both the southbound and northbound curves. (All Photographs by Tony Armitage, 20th August 2021)