A row has broken out over the future of Tramtown, after news came out that it has been decided the former Fitting Shop where the attraction can be currently found is to be demolished as part of the redevelopment of the wider Rigby Road site.
The row started when Cllr Paul Galley (the leader of the opposition Conservative Party in Blackpool, and Tramtown’s Volunteer coordinator) released statements to say that he had been told by the Head of Estates at the Council and Blackpool Transport that the engineering buildings (which includes the Paint Shop, Body Shop and Fitting Shop) were set be demolished.
On the face of it, this is not exactly new news as planning permission for the demolition of the Paint and Body shops had previously been granted (admittedly the Fitting Shop was not included in this at the time), but since that was approved things have changed (probably several times) with the condition of the main tram depot worsening and remaining out of bounds, which had led to the opening of a small Tramtown exhibition in the former Fitting Shop last year.
The Fitting Shop, Paint Shop and Body Shop are all part of the same engineering buildings at Rigby Road and whilst it has been possible to allow volunteers and visitors access into the Fitting Shop, both the Paint and Body shops have remained closed off and out of bounds. Their condition is such that its likely a large expenditure would be needed to repair them and the promimity of the Fitting Shop would probably mean any demolition of those two would impact that as well.
Of note, when the original planning application went in the historic value of the workshops was rejected with the Built Heritage Manager saying: “No objections per se. The current buildings are in a terrible condition and it’s hard to define what’s original and what’s a later intervention so much of our concern for this site is its continuity in use for the heritage trams and their secure storage and repair.”
It had been the original plan that the main depot building at Rigby Road would be the basis for the Tramtown attraction but with apparent funding streams for that seemingly stalling that has been thrown up in the air, hence why the Fitting Shop was being used, temporarily.
It should also be noted that these plans for demolition have no immediate impact on the operation of heritage trams (although obviously losing any workshop facilities would case longer term issues of restoration and maintenance – albeit more standard, day-to-day maintenance can be done at Starr Gate where there is limited space for heritage trams).
After a weekend of much comment on social media, with petitions set up to “save the heritage trams”, Blackpool Council released a statement on their Facebook page refuting the claims that decisions had been made and reiterating their support for Tramtown and the heritage trams.
The statement reads: “Despite what you might have seen online, we are not getting rid of heritage trams. They are part of our history and our future.
“We are always looking at ways to protect that heritage across Blackpool and keep it safe so people can enjoy it for decades to come.
“That gets more expensive and difficult as things get older, but we are committed to the protection of our history, so it can be part of our future.
“There is a building at the Rigby Road depot which is in a poor condition and needs a decision making on its future. This is not the main heritage trams building but a workshop nearby.
“No decision on that workshop has been made, but it is in need of repair and that could be very expensive, so we have to make sure we make the right decision about its future.
“We do have a plan for Tramtown and protecting the heritage items by keeping them secure safe and dry alongside the heritage trams in the main shed, while we continue to support funding bids for a new Tramtown visitor experience.”
For now whilst decisions are made on what will happen with the engineering building, Tramtown will remain open for visitors on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.