The opening of a 600 metre track extension connecting the current Promenade tramway with a new tram stop by Blackpool North train station was celebrated at a special event last week,
The first passengers to take the historic trip up Talbot Road won a local prize draw to become the first people to enjoy the journey to the train station since 1963.
Blackpool Transport will run a range of special tours over the coming days, with the route opened up to fare paying passengers from Sunday 16 June.
Trams will leave and arrive at the new North Station tram stop roughly every fifteen minutes between 0545hrs and 2345hrs. As a general guide, trams going south to Squires Gate will leave on the quarter hours (15 minutes’ past and 45 minutes’ past), with trams going north to Fleetwood Ferry leaving on the hour and half hour, however the timetable will be adjusted based on need. These routes will work alongside with the mainline tram operation which continues to run between Starr Gate and Fleetwood between 0500hrs and 2300hrs.
To support the additional journeys created by the extension, two new Flexity-2 trams have been added to the running stock.
The new Blackpool North tram stop sits alongside the Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant, which opened in May, while passengers can walk through to Blackpool North train station via a new underpass. A range of retail units surround the new tram stop and underpass.
Over two million passengers per year use Blackpool North train station, while Blackpool itself welcomed 20 million visitors in 2022. The extension and new tram stop form part of the Talbot Gateway area with the tram offering an extended commuting route for workers as well as a tourism route.
The £23m tramway extension was funded by Blackpool Council and received £16.4m from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal funding.
Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration at Blackpool Council, said: “Opening this new tramway extension has many benefits for Blackpool. “It provides more sustainable commuting routes for workers getting into the town centre or connecting with the train station, while for our tourism businesses, it also means that customers can reach their hotel, shop or attraction even easier, supporting the local economy.”
Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services, said: “Bringing back the iconic trams to Talbot Road after 60 years marks a significant milestone in Blackpool’s history and its journey towards a vibrant future. “As Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services, I am thrilled to witness this momentous occasion, which not only enhances our transportation network but also contributes to the economic and cultural revival of our beloved town and the 20 million visitors that we proudly serve. “Together, we embark on a new era of connectivity, accessibility, and progress for the community we proudly serve.”
PIC-BLACKPOOL COUNCIL
