Boarding now at Norbreck in stop U-turn

The new Norbreck North tram stop was officially unveiled yesterday to the delight of campaigners including Norbreck councillors Peter and Maxine Callow.

They demanded the council reinstate the boarding point after it was removed in 2012 when the Flexity tram fleet was introduced.

Coun Peter Callow said: “People were out in force for the reopening and when the tram pulled up they couldn’t wait to get on board.

“We have been fighting for this for more than four years and we have been supported all the way by the residents of this area.

“This stop is very important to people here because many are elderly or have illnesses, and they don’t have cars, so the tram is a real lifeline to them.

“It serves the whole of the estate behind.

“We also have to thank the lads who worked on it because they have had to contend with some shocking conditions during the winter months.

“The residents are overjoyed at the reopening – it was like a party atmosphere with people hopping on board the trams to travel both north and south.”

The full cost of reinstalling the tram stop is around £290,000 with the work being funded from savings from the tramway upgrade project.

Although the stop is operational, there is still more work to be carried out including the addition of a shelter for passengers.

But a new platform has been built and railings put in, while GPS software and passenger information on board the trams has also had to be updated so they recognise the stop.