Trams have been unable to run as far as Fleetwood Ferry since the evening of Wednesday 3rd June 2026 after a major fire in a building on Lord Street. Whilst services were initially only able to run as far as Thornton Gate this has subsequently been extended to Fisherman’s Walk.
The fire – which is a suspected arson – started at approximately 1700 on the Wednesday evening in an empty shop on Lord Street. This was most recently the Ex Catalogue Outlet and previous to that was a Marks & Spencer store. It is located immediately by the London Street tramstop. There were no injuries reported.
At its height there were eight fire engines tackling the blaze, which owing to its proximity to the tramway meant that it was not – and remains so – safe to run trams past with the overhead power having to be cut.
Two boys – aged 13 and 15 – have been arrested on suspicion of arson.
As a result of the fire tram services are currently only running between Starr Gate and Fisherman’s Walk (alternate services via North Station). Bus services in Fleetwood are also being diverted to avoid the scene.
There is currently no estimate of when it will be safe to resume services to Fleetwood Ferry.
All this as we approach the ORR deadline for the Flexities’ bogies to be brought up to standard. Things are definitely not going Blackpool Transport’s way. Never mind, when it becomes buses only for thew entire system, pending a resolution to the Flexity dilemma, at least there will be a direct service to the Ferry.