A pensioner in a mobility scooter was hit by a tram in Cleveleys this week which led Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, to urge all pedestrians to be cautious around the tramway. This was the second incident in recent weeks around Cleveleys which has seen a pedestrian hit by a tram whilst using a designated crossing across the tramway.<\/p>\n
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In the latest incident an 81 year old lady on a mobility scooter was crossing the tramway at West Drive at approximately 1120 on Wednesday 18th<\/sup> July. The lady suffered a graze and was treated at the scene by Paramedics with a visit to hospital not necessary.<\/p>\n As is always the case when unfortunate incidents like this take place the comments section of the local newspaper website are full of people giving their own little theories including those who seem to think the trams are a big evil invention which are out to get anyone who gets in their way. But at the end of the day the tramway is incredibly safe and it tends to be the fault of the pedestrian involved in the collision as the tram doesn\u2019t normally just leap out at people.<\/p>\n Trevor Roberts told The Gazette<\/em> that people needed to use more caution when near the tramway: \u201cThe new trams are safer but people need to take great care when in the vicinity of the tramway and particularly when crossing it. The trams aren\u2019t operating any faster than before but do accelerate and stop much quicker. In terms of safety, the new trams are fully compliant with everything which reflects best practice in terms of modern\u00a0 operational safety features and design, and the stopping performance in an emergency is exemplary. We appreciate the public are still getting used to the new system and our drivers are trained to be aware at all times but care does need to taken at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rail Accident Investigation Branch are now investigating both of the recent occurrences although it is unlikely that these minor incidents will warrant a full report but rather one of the summaries they issue from time to time.<\/p>\n Unfortunately these two incidents which have happened in the past couple of weeks are\u00a0 unlikely to be the last to affect the tramway as other UK tramways will testify.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A pensioner in a mobility scooter was hit by a tram in Cleveleys this week which led Trevor Roberts, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, to urge all pedestrians to be cautious around the tramway. This was the second incident in … Continue reading