Department for Transport

£100 million upgrade for Blackpool to Fleetwood tramway
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date 10 Jun 2009 11:42
source Department for Transport
type Press release

note DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (072) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 10 June 2009

The Blackpool to Fleetwood Tramway is to get a £100 million upgrade, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan announced today.

The scheme, which has now been granted full Government approval, will include new trams, replacement track, extra stops and a new tram depot. This will improve journey times and the accessibility of the tramway for all passengers.

This investment - £68.3m from the Department for Transport and £33.4m from Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council - will build on the current regeneration of the town whilst improving access to the Fylde Coast.

In his first visit since becoming Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan said:

"This scheme will deliver significant benefits for the local community, and I am delighted that one of my first tasks as Transport Minister is to give it the go ahead.

"Trams have been running in Blackpool for over 100 years - I hope this funding will mean the historic, world-famous Tramway can continue to run well into the future."

The Tramway, which is owned by Blackpool Council, has been operating since 1885. It runs from the town along the Fylde Coast into Lancashire, serving Cleveleys and Fleetwood.

Leader of Blackpool Council Councillor Peter Callow said:

"This is a great day for Blackpool and we are very grateful to the Government for supporting our ambitions. Blackpool has a fantastic tram heritage and this funding will ensure that our tram network has a great future too.

"By Easter 2012 we will have ultra modern trams providing an efficient public transport network for both residents and visitors without sacrificing our wonderful heritage trams."

Leader of the majority group on Lancashire County Council Geoff Driver added:

"The new trams will be a great boost to tourism and business, providing a link from Blackpool to seafront attractions in Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys.

"This is an important addition to the existing public transport infrastructure and a key step in being able to attract further investment in the economy of the Fylde coast."

Notes to editors

1. The Department for Transport has agreed to award Full Approval to this scheme, with a total cost of £101.67m and a maximum DfT contribution of £68.285m from the Regional Funding Allocation budget with additional funds from: Blackpool Council of £17.735m; Lancashire County Council of £15.25m; and from the INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme of £400k.

2. The scheme upgrade will include:
* Replacing 8 km of track.
* Rebuilding tram stops ensuring they are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
* Installing 14 priority signals at highway junctions to improve journey times.
* Buying a fleet of 16 Bombardier trams, which will have low floors and thus be accessible to passengers with disabilities. They will also offer shorter journey times on core services.
* Building a tram depot.

3. The Department for Transport awarded Programme Entry in January 2008.

4. Work is due to start in June 2009 and be completed in April 2012.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2009-06-10 DfT-001