Rigby Road Tram Depot \u2013 now home to the heritage fleet of trams in Blackpool \u2013 has been known to be in a poor state of repair for some time and now to try and remedy this Blackpool Transport have launched a Crowdfunder to raise \u00a31 million to fully retore the historic building to help keep the trams safe and secure for generations to come.<\/p>\n
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As we reported earlier this year there are plans to modernise the bus side of the depot at Rigby Road in the coming years and this will necessitate some of the heritage engineering facilities currently used by the trams to be moved into one facility (with the remainder also have to follow in the future as well). However, that\u2019s when things start to get a bit more complicated as the state of the main depot building (the roof in particular) means it isn\u2019t possible to move this equipment as currently the worst of the winter (and any when else for that matter!) weather easily finds its way into the building.<\/p>\n
The long term plans for the building \u2013 which it is still hoped could eventually became a museum\/heritage attraction \u2013 would see the structural integrity of the building secured and a new set of doors installed but the initial priority is to sort the leaking roof out. And for that to be fully restored will cost \u00a31 million which is where the Crowdfunder (and the public!) comes in.<\/p>\n
\u00a31 million sounds a lot (because it is!) but if 1 million people around the world each donated \u00a31 the target would be met! But there can be no denying that it is a huge target so Blackpool Transport have given details of some staging points which can be reached on the way to the target to help start the repairs as soon as possible:<\/p>\n
If the target isn\u2019t reached any funds raised will contribute to repairs on the roof or other much needed improvements to the structure to help secure the future of the building.<\/p>\n
The Crowdfunder can be contributed to at the following link: https:\/\/www.crowdfunder.co.uk\/vital-funds-to-continue-running-heritage-trams<\/a>. And if you donate certain amounts you have a chance to enter prize draws as well as join unique heritage experiences. These rewards include:<\/p>\n Repairing roofs and sorting out the depot building \u2013 which is the last working first-generation tram depot in the UK and one of only three working historic tram depots in the world built for double-deck trams \u2013 may not be as exciting as donating towards the restoration of another tram but it is no less vital, if not more so, and will help to ensure the future of heritage trams in Blackpool for many years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rigby Road Tram Depot \u2013 now home to the heritage fleet of trams in Blackpool \u2013 has been known to be in a poor state of repair for some time and now to try and remedy this Blackpool Transport have … Continue reading \n