This site is due to house the tramway terminus as well as a new hotel complex. The whole development is due to be completed in 2022 with some earlier reports stating that trams could be running in 2021. However, with the amount of work still needed this is probably pretty doubtful and its better if you put 2022 in your diary for a chance to ride on a tram up Talbot Road again.<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t just the tram terminus which needs to be built as overheads will need to be erected along the stretch of track which also already be laid while the single platform tramstop in Talbot Square will presumably also get some furniture to bring it up to spec. There have previously been reports that there are some snagging works needed on other areas of the extension as well so it remains to be seen when these are completed.<\/p>\n
But despite all this work, we know now that Wilko\u2019s has been demolished and a key milestone in the project has been achieved!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/1.wilko-pd-550x413.jpg\")
<\/a>On 7th December and the small corner of Wilko\u2019s still remained in place. This aerial view is taken from Sainsbury\u2019s where the windows are pretty dirty thanks to all the dust from the demolition!<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/2.wilko-pd-550x309.jpg\")
<\/a>At street level where work was continuing on the demolition. (Photographs x2 by Peter Dockerty, 7th December 2020)<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/3wilko-ta-550x367.jpg\")
<\/a>Where\u2019s it gone?! 12th December and the last section of the building has gone! After 42 years the building is no more and now the next stage of works can continue.<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/4.wilko-ta-550x367.jpg\")
<\/a>Taken through the gates and all that remains on the worksite is rubble \u2013 lots of it!<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/5.wilko-ta-550x367.jpg\")
<\/a>It\u2019s the shot we\u2019ve come used to showing the route of the tramway into Wilko\u2019s or as it is now the empty space where Wilko\u2019s once stood! (Photographs x3 by Tony Armitage, 12th December 2020)<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It was the blocker for the completion of the extension of the Blackpool Tramway up Talbot Road to Blackpool North Railway Station but it isn\u2019t anymore as the demolition of the old Wilko\u2019s store has now been demolished. That\u2019s right … Continue reading