Its been the best part of a year since we had any significant update on plans for Rigby Road Depot at Blackpool with the complex mostly out of bounds awaiting the results of a condition survey. But now there has been an update of sorts with Blackpool Transport submitting new plans for the workshop area of the depot (what is currently known as the Paint Shop, Body Shop and Fitting Shop).<\/p>\n
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If you recall previous plans for this area of the depot complex had been for the entire building to be demolished as part of the introduction of electric buses to the resort. This would have seen the heritage tram workshops moved into the main tram shed as part of the wider Tramtown attraction development.<\/p>\n
But now it seems things have changed and the latest plans submitted would see part of the building retained. This would be the section currently housing the Fitting Shop (closest to Blundell Street) with the existing Paint Shop and Body Shop still demolished. The land freed by this demolition would then be laid out as parking and a service yard. There would also be a joinery shop and general store and canteen.<\/p>\n
The planning application was submitted on 4th<\/sup> October with the following description: \u201cCreation of service yard with vehicle parking following part demolition of building and external alterations to remaining building including re-roofing and installation of roof lights.\u201d. The plans along with the application describe the building as the BTS Heritage Tram Building.<\/p>\n The Fitting Shop has been available for Tramtown tours during 2024 but the Paint Shop and Body Shop have been off limits since their closure in 2023. The planning application is only concerned with this part of the depot complex and makes no mention of the main tram shed. As has been widely reported this has been closed completely for around a year with details of a much waited for condition survey not having been released. This has reduced the number of available heritage trams with operations centred on Starr Gate Depot (up to five trams).<\/p>\n Its been the best part of a year since we had any significant update on plans for Rigby Road Depot at Blackpool with the complex mostly out of bounds awaiting the results of a condition survey. But now there has … Continue reading \n