Another exciting step forwards in the project to create a second tram depot at Manchester’s Heaton Park Tramway was achieved on Tuesday 6th August, when some local dignitaries were invited to the park for the unveiling of a commemorative stone within one of the walls of the new building.
The honour of laying the special commemorative stone, as part of the brickwork which forms the lower part of the building, went to the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein, whose name is displayed prominently on the stone to acknowledge this important day in the tramway’s history. Sir Howard Bernstein was assisted by Alderman Keith Whitmore, another representative of the local Council and a keen supporter of the tramway. The event was attended by both Old Glory magazine and the Manchester Evening News, which should hopefully generate some very useful positive publicity for this organisation and attract further interest in this particular project.
There was plenty for the guests to see on their visit to the park, as the Lakeside Depot has made incredible progress within the past fortnight. The steel walls are now complete and attention has been turned towards laying the brickwork which will form the basis of the structure, incorporating the special stone put in place by Sir Howard Bernstein. Work continues on the structure, and it shouldn’t be long at all before the first rails are laid inside, connecting the depot to the main line, and enabling trams to be housed inside for the first time.
A close-up view of the commemorative brick after being set in place on 6th August.
A peek inside Lakeside Depot shows quite clearly the remarkable progress made on its construction since our previous progress report. (Photos courtesy of the Heaton Park Tramway Facebook page)