Blackpool tramway upgrade gets go ahead

A meeting of the executive committee was told the work, which will cost £1.1m in total with £200,000 coming from existing income, was vital to preserve the future running of the trams.

John Blackledge, director of community and environmental services, said recent track surveys had revealed investment was required “over and above day to day maintenance.”

This included track replacement and new protection systems at crossing places in order to comply with new legislation.

Mr Blackledge said: “We’ve planned for this finance within the budget and are working with Lancashire County Council in terms of how we put additional money aside over the next few years to pay for this.

“It’s important we do this work to maintain the services that are really important.”

The tramway, which reopened in 2012 following a £100m upgrade, was used by 4.8 million passengers in 2019/20.

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