The saga of the suspension of all Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours operation has taken another turn, with \u201cThe Blackpool Lead\u201d quoting a spokesperson from the ORR as saying they were not involved in the decision whilst also claiming that two sources have told them the decision was made for financial reasons.<\/p>\n
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To take a step back a couple weeks, you will remember that it was announced on Friday 6th <\/sup>December that Heritage Tram Tours had been suspended with immediate effect because \u201coperating\u2026alongside our modern fleet has become increasingly challenging, with issues such as depot space, tram movements, general safety and maintenance conflicts making it difficult to continue running the service effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time that was thought to be an indefinite suspension. But then a few days later, Blackpool Transport Managing Director, Jane Cole, released an additional statement where she confirmed the company\u2019s commitment to running heritage trams and that they would be back on the Prom in 2025.<\/p>\n When the suspension was announced it was widely thought that most of the reason behind was safety related after advice from the ORR but according to the statement on \u201cThe Blackpool Lead\u201d from the ORR this was not the case. A spokesperson is quoted as saying: \u201cORR has not been involved in Blackpool Transport\u2019s decision. Heritage tramways are required to assess the risks relating to collision between heritage trams and members of the public and implement any reasonably practicable controls identified. This will include light-of-sight operation. We have not required them to install obstacle detection or overspeed technology.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Blackpool Lead\u201d article<\/a> also says they have spoken to two unnamed sources who allege that the decision was made for financial reasons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The saga of the suspension of all Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours operation has taken another turn, with \u201cThe Blackpool Lead\u201d quoting a spokesperson from the ORR as saying they were not involved in the decision whilst also claiming that two … Continue reading