If you like covering new track on UK tramways then 2023 could be a very exciting year for you as after many twists and turns we could see three separate tramways opening new sections of line! For all three they are much delayed (if you go with original timescales) but there are signs that they may be running within the next 12 months – but will we get the full hattrick of extensions and when may we see trams running?
Blackpool Tramway – Blackpool North Station extension
The original timeline should have seen trams running on this extension – which leaves the Promenade line opposite North Pier and travels through Talbot Square, along Talbot Road and terminating in front of Blackpool North Railway Station – by April 2019. Obviously, that has not been met with various delays encountered, the most obvious of which was how long it took to remove the old Wilko’s store which blocked the way at the far end of Talbot Road.
Of all three extensions this is the only one which has actually seen trams run on it already. Overnight testing took place in March 2022 and a week of daytime testing then happened in June/July 2022. But there has been no further testing or commissioning since this took place.
The extension will not be able to open until all construction work on the new Holiday Inn and restaurant on the old Wilko’s site is completed and this is expected to be during the first quarter of 2023. Following this more testing is likely to take place ahead of probably ghost running. At this stage no details of what service will run have been confirmed – the initial plan of trams every 10 minutes on the extension as well as on the Prom line are unlikely to happen, especially considering that frequency hasn’t been seen on the tramway since before the pandemic.
The latest estimate from Blackpool Council of an opening is May/June 2023.
Edinburgh Trams – Trams to Newhaven
The longest of the three extensions – 2.91 miles in length – this line will travel from York Place in Edinburgh City Centre to Newhaven via Leith Walk and Ocean Terminal. It will see eight new stops added to the network.
You’ll read various articles on British Trams Online to say that the extension is on time and on budget but that only tells part of the story! Whilst its true to say that the specific Trams to Newhaven project is on schedule, it had originally been planned that this line would be part of the initial network but as has been widely reported this construction didn’t go according to plan and large swathes of the system were axed – including that to Newhaven. If you were feeling uncharitable you could say that the line is already at least 10 years late but taking this extension as a new project it does remain on schedule.
No trams have yet run on the extension but initial testing and commissioning is schedule to take place in early 2023.
The line is due to open in Spring 2023.
West Midlands Metro – Wolverhampton Railway Station
What is it with short extensions to railway stations on UK tramways? Similar to the extension in Blackpool the line to Wolverhampton Railway Station has been much delayed. Originally slated for opening in 2020 several proposed opening dates have come and gone – the last of which was Autumn 2022.
Leaving the current West Midlands Metro line just before St George’s the extension travels along Piper’s Row (with an intermediate stop adjacent to the Bus Station) before turning onto Railway Drive and then terminating at a new stop just beyond the entrance to the railway station.
The last delay to the line opening was put down to supply chain issues relating to equipment needed for the signals which in turn delayed other infrastructure work.
So far, no trams have run on the line. The estimate for opening remains Spring 2023.
Three systems, three extensions with three estimates of Spring 2023 – which one will be first? Will they all hit these latest estimates? We will find out over the next six months!
A previous extension on the West Midlands Metro – and the latest extension to open on a UK tramway – was that to Edgbaston Village. On 12th May 2022 testing took place along Broad Street which included two trams running in the same direction on gauging tests, electrical surge and load testing. The two trams were 39 and 40. (Photograph by Roland Bull)
I wonder what odds the bookmakers give on any of them opening in 2023?
Good post Gareth – look forward to more on this. We should have a wee sweep on what will be first although not sure of the prize ! Best wishes for 2023 and thanks for all you do here.
Re the Blackpool extension, I won’t add further to the other comments on this forever- under-construction extension, except to wonder how long it would have taken in, say, France, to be completed. One more thing though. I don’t know where the line actually ends, but unless it finishes actually AT the station, which is where it is supposed to be going, it fails in its purpose. No one should have to lug suitcases any further than a few yards, and I mean a FEW yards, to the tram. We shall see.
Blackpool extension would have been up and running months ago if the terminus was not on a building site waiting for a hotel to be built.The line should have been planned to continue up Talbot Rd with the last stop opposite Sainsburys store.Instead we have to wait for months for the big crane and the contactors to finally leave the site.No work has been done at the site since Dec 23rd as the contractors are not due back till Man 9th.
lazzer – 100% agree. The hotel part is a vanity project. One originl plan had it next to Sainsbutys but it was feared the open air escalators wouldn’t survive. No one in their right mind builds an extension to end right in the middle of a hotel complex when its been ststed all along its phase 1!!!!
John Gilbert – the fult lies entirely with the hotel construction. The Tramway has been finished and tested long ago. The line ends at the hotel and passengers connect to the station via subway. More than a few yards but certainly much nearer than from the entrance to platform in most large railway stations! In fact I’ve NEVER walked only a few yards with my case anywhere in the world.
Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, Budapest-Déli and East Croydon are just three excellent and close tram/railway interchanges that spring to mind. There are no doubt many more. It can be done – if there is a will.