Mid-August 2026 has seen some work take place around Blackpool’s Rigby Road Depot with the start of work to remove overhead wires around the depot complex. Whilst there has been no official word as to reason for the removal of the overhead it is likely to be connected to the previously confirmed need to demolish the former Fitting Shop/Body Shop/Paint Shop building.
Initial observations of the work – which stated on Monday 17th August 2026 – seem to suggest that it is the overhead that both leads to the former Fitting Shop (which had been adopted for Tramtown use in 2025) and is also attached to the exterior wall along Blundell Street.
The removal of the overhead should have been expected as it was confirmed earlier this year that because of the condition of the structure it would need to be demolished. This came after a condition survey of the wider building.
Although the Fitting Shop was home to the Tramtown exhibition in 2025, this was only ever meant to be a short-term plan. For their part Blackpool Transport have said they remain committed to a Tramtown attraction in the future, although this will be very much dependent on funding and a realistic plan for what can be achieved.
In the shorter-term Blackpool Transport they did say earlier in the year that they were looking at temporary pop-up sites, although nothing further has come of this at the moment with it possibly not being top of their priorities at the moment as they continue to work to bring more Flexity2 trams back into service ahead of the illuminations.
Its also likely that returning heritage trams to operation – which Managing Director Lea Harrison did also say he is committed to doing – has been delayed by the work needed on the modern trams which run the core service. Once anything has been decided on this announcements will be made through the usual channels.
This general view of Rigby Road shows that the wires remain in place on the depot fan and also onto Hopton Road. It is just the access to the Fitting Shop and along Blundell Street which have gone. (Photograph by Steven Hughes, 24th August 2026)
Sad
I believed that the workshop was definitely condemned and it’s to be expected that the wires would need to go first. It does make sense to channel money into a future Tramtown attraction than waste it on propping up a condemned building, always provided that the necessary machinery can be stored safely fr future use.
A good site for a ‘pop up’ attraction could be Thornton Gate sidings, which is also the current northern terminus for any heritage trips. Maybe something could be set up on a permanent basis to use funds in the most effective way. Security would have to be key to running such a site as trouble could be living not far away (Broadwater/Heathfield Road area).
A Tramtown attraction was supposed to be provided in the main depot building after the workshop had been demolished. The “funds” which you mention, which may or may not exist need to be spent on restoring the main depot building.
‘It does make sense to channel money into a future Tramtown attraction than waste it on propping up a condemned building.’ It would, if there was any sign at all that any such ‘channelling’ was to take place.
Moreover, I wonder if an independent inspection of the workshop building, rather than simply one produced at a convenient time by the Council, would reach the same conclusion about it?
Cannot see the council allowing an independent inspection taking place. Does not suit their agenda . Only people allowed in the workshop will be the demolition crew.
Having the opportunity to do so I did a brief look over the fitting shop on Hopwood St. Someone needs to haul up Blackpool’s surveyors and get them to explain their findings in detail and with real justifiable supporting facts.
The fitting shop comprises two Accrington brick pillared multi bay gables to east and west elevations with timber infill ends to north and south comprising doorways sufficient for trams to gain access and glazed infils.
The roof is multi bay sheet on steel frames and there is no visible deterioration or bowing of any of the bays visible from Hopwood St
You need to justify your statements with facts because I see no provable basis for your assertions – so over to you!
Whilst there is some open jointing to the brickwork this is extremely minor and of no consequence. There is one high level crack but that is it. I’m sorry Blackpool but no-one with any structural survey experience buys your condemnation of the building so lets see what you have to say or why not give me and my associate building surveyor the chance to mark your homework and expose it for the fiction that it is
So many armchair surveyors and experts these days………..