It seems to have been a long-time coming but a tram service has finally resumed on the Wirral Heritage Tramway – albeit on a shortened section of line awaiting repairs to the track on the section to Woodside Ferry. The 2022 tram service was inaugurated on Saturday 26th February with no fan fare but when trams are back running who can complain about that!
The Wirral Heritage Tramway only ran for one weekend in 2021 during November having been closed since March 2020 because of the first lockdown. The service had to be suspended at this point because a report into the state of the infrastructure on the tramway had found issues with the track which needed repairing before any services could be safely operated.
But now after discussions with Wirral Borough Council, volunteers from the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society have been able to resume a service between Taylor Street (location of the tram depot and Wirral Transport Museum) and the Police Hut in Shore Road (shortly before the line curves round to Woodside Ferry) – no trams will run to Woodside Ferry until track repairs are completed.
Hong Kong built tram 69 started off the service and it is now planned that trams will run every Saturday and Sunday – subject to availability of volunteers. Trams are scheduled to depart Taylor Street at 1320, 1350, 1420, 1450 and 1520 with return trips from Shore Road at 1330, 1400, 1430, 1500 and 1530. Fares to ride on the tram will be £2 adults and £1 for children 6-15 and concessions.