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£50m bid for Blackpool to Preston trams
BLACKPOOL'S hybrid trams would be the first in the UK if ambitious plans to link the tramway and the railway line go ahead.
The groundbreaking scheme, revealed in yesterday's Gazette, would see the transport systems interlink near Blackpool Pleasure Beach which is the closest point between the two networks.
Proposals would see trams run from the tramway to the South Fylde railway line, switching from electric power to diesel and giving passengers chance to travel all the way from Fleetwood to Preston by tram.
Obstacles
Known as "tram trains", some of the revolutionary vehicles are already in operation in Germany and now Blackpool is bidding for European money to investigate the possibility of introducing a similar system on the Fylde coast at a cost of up to 50m.
But Doug Garrett, chief executive of Blackpool's regeneration company ReBlackpool, warned there were many obstacles to be overcome if the scheme was to go ahead.
He said: "It makes sense if it can be made to work, but it's at a very early stage.
"The connection between the two systems would be tricky, for example one operates on low platforms, the other on high platforms, but these are all the issues which a feasibility study would look at.
"It's an exciting prospect. It would be a UK first for Blackpool."
Blackpool secured 60m of Government funding at the beginning of this month to upgrade its tramway, with another 25m coming from Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council.
The total includes cash for a new fleet of 16 "super-trams" whose development would take into account the options for a hybrid system.
Mr Garrett said: "They are very aware of the possibility of this so investment that will be made in rolling stock will be looking to make sure the options do explore this possibility."
Planning guru Sir Peter Hall has stepped down from his position as chairman of ReBlackpool to concentrate on making the bid, which depends on European funding and partnerships, but he says he is confident of securing the funding.
Links have already been formed with Kassel, a city in central Germany, where the new technology was used to launch a hybrid tram last August.
The Kassel system works using a modified signalling system and around 10km of new tram track had to be added.
The Regio CITADIS trams, made by French firm Alstom, accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 15 seconds. They can travel at 70km/hour on inner city routes. They have 90 fixed seats but can also carry standing passengers who have the comfort of air conditioning and LCD information screens.
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
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