Hopes have been raised that the suggested extension of the Blackpool & Fleetwood tramway could be a more realistic prospect than many people had thought, after Blackpool Borough Council announced that a feasibility study is taking place to investigate the possibility of re-introducing trams to the town centre. Old rails last used in the 1960s remain buried under asphalt could be uncovered and brought back into use allowing trams to run from the promenade to North Station.
The idea of having a tram service to Blackpool’s biggest railway station is not a new one, and pointwork leading from the current promenade line at North Pier was laid as part of the recent upgrade works to make any future extension into the town less disruptive. However, the proposal has now been made to seriously consider whether the existing rails that were simply covered over rather than being dug up, could actually be re-used. Obviously this would save a considerable sum of money and make the project potentially a lot more viable. Regeneration of the area around the station has been planned for a while, and this latest idea opens up the possibility of a new transport interchange where trams, buses and trains could meet.
However, there are a few potential areas of concern that could derail the plan. Presumably the condition of the track around Talbot Square is an unknown entity and would need to be properly assessed before a decision can be made on whether or not it is fit for further use by modern trams. Much of the route to North Station was made up of single track which may well need to be re-modelled, although it could potentially form a useful starting point for an extension. A re-think on road traffic may also be needed as in their twilight years, traffic congestion became a serious problem on the town routes. Blackpool Council have already been allocated funding for the feasibility study, which is due to end on April 20th. It remains to be seen whether this is a genuine forward step towards expanding the tramway, or if it is more a ‘pie in the sky’ scheme which has been well-timed to boost interest and confidence in the viability of the tram system following its £100 million makeover.
A BBC online news report on the study also mentions that a tramway extension from Starr Gate to Blackpool Airport is being considered although no further details have been released as yet.
They ripped the track up at tablot square when they were doing work there on the word and footpaths. The only track is the points at North pier
During the recent repaving work carried out at Talbot Square I have taken photographs showing some of the original tracks still in situ beyond the points at Talbot Square. Doubt if the old track would meet the new regulations for noise etc. Single track would be a backward step.
An interesting comment from many passengers they would like to see further inland routes, obviously they do not remember the days before the massacre of the Marton Road and Lytham Road routes.
what a good idea, why buy new when old will do, these new Trams are lot lighter on the track than the old fleet, Extened them along Lytham Road the old Double Track is still there all the way to the Airport,no need to lay new Track from Starr Gate, it is about time Blackpool Trams were updated, and brought in to the modern Age.
Hi – I do not live in Blackpool but it seems to me that patronage of any system is substantially enhanced by good access to the town centre and also to the main rail station. Furthermore, most tramway extensions benefit areas economically, socially and environmentally when they are carefully planned and built. Paul.
Even if the track was still in existence and in reasonable condition it is extremely unlikely it could be reused. Nowadays the problems of stray return currents dictates that all embedded rail must be insulated which the original track would not be. It is also extremely unlikely that the track up Talbot Road would still be there and in good knick as wasn’t it abandoned in the 1930s? This sounds like someone’s fantasy.
I should add that I am only referring to the re-use of the existing track not the idea of extending to North Station which makes good sense.
Again, I don’t know Blackpool street layout very well – but the single track loop around the town of Croydon reduces the cost of construction and seems to meet need. A double track may not be needed. Paul.
I thought the route along Lytham Road was abandoned in 1961 because the rails were worn out. They may still be there under the surface but it is unlikely they could be used again. An extension from Starr Gate to the airport would probably be much cheaper than relaying track in Lytham Road.
Talbot Square track was completely worn out and only fit for scrap, 10th Feb 2012.
See photo Flickr – Talbot Square tramlines
The original route to North Station was from Fleetwood following the current route to Gynn Square, then it branched off and up Dickson Road. It was twin track all the way. There was once even a trolley reverser on Dickson Road.
I wonder what the tracks are like on Dickson Road now.
The tracks from Talbot Sq right up Talbot Rd passed North Station were for the original Layton route.
The Marton route branched off at Abingdon St.