Blackpool Council reveals plans to renovate main Tramtown shed to revive attraction

Blackpool Council says it is now moving forward with plans to restore the main tramshed which houses the town’s precious heritage trams and revive the much-loved Tramtown attraction.

There have been ongoing concerns about the closure in April this year of the Tramtown visitor attraction at Rigby Road, which included the tramshed, and the fact that the workshop is in such a poor state it is having to be demolished for safety reasons.

Residents and tram enthusiasts have also expressed frustration that the heritage trams have not been running this year, apart from two of the vehicles operating during the Lightpool festival - illuminated Western Train and the Frigate (HMS Blackpool) tram.

These concerns led to Blackpool South MP Chris Webb recently giving assurances that he would “fight for the future” of the town’s historic tram fleet as plans continue to secure a permanent home for its heritage collection.

Cllr Paul Galley, head f volunteers when Tramtown was running, has argued that the council could have done more to preserve the buildings

Now Blackpool Council Leader, Cllr Lynn Williams, has given a new statement on the Rigby Road site, revealing a project is now being put together.

Cllr Williams said today: “I’m pleased to share that we now have plans to renovate the main tram shed to create a workshop attraction for Tramtown.

“ We – the council, Blackpool Transport, and the heritage tram team – have been working hard to provide a home for the heritage visitor attraction.

“Tramtown has always been about much more than just the workshop space, though. It’s the volunteers who give their time and effort to keep the heritage trams and other historic items alive.

“They’ve done an excellent job in restoring the Western Train and Frigate trams ready for Lightpool, and we’re pleased they remain so engaged and enthused in their roles.

“Ultimately we all want to see the heritage trams running again and our commitment to that remains unwavering.

“There is no timeline fixed as yet regarding the demolition of the shed that formerly housed the main Tramtown exhibitions.”

The two operational trams being displayed for Lightpool are at Starr Gate. The remainder are in the tram shed at Rigby Road.

Whilst plans are being put together for work at Rigby Road, council-owned Blackpool Transport is still looking for temporary accommodation for the heritage tram fleet.

Mr Webb recently said he was working with volunteers and partners to secure the investment needed to preserve the heritage trams, following a meeting with volunteers at the Rigby Road depot.

He said: “Our heritage trams aren’t just part of Blackpool’s past, they can be an important part of our future too, attracting visitors, supporting our tourism economy and preserving something that is uniquely Blackpool,” adding that discussions had focused on the challenges involved in restoring the historic fleet, as well as ambitious plans to keep Tramtown at Rigby Road.

Backing the creation of a permanent base where Blackpool’s tram heritage could be protected, restored and enjoyed for generations, Mr Webb nevertheless warned that delivering the vision would require significant investment.