First tram arrives at Blackpool North for 60 years

The first passenger tram has arrived at Blackpool North Station for over 60 years as part of the new Talbot Gateway extension.

On Wednesday 12th June, lucky winners and several media outlets were given the opportunity to trial the new route for the first time.

The extension, which will connect trams from the Promenade into Blackpool North Station via two new stops, is officially set to open to fare-paying passengers on Sunday 16^th June.

VIDEO: Here's what it's like to travel up the next extension to Blackpool North

Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Jane Cole told Coastal Radio that expanding the network will give users more options.

“You’ve got a connection once you depart one mode of transport onto another,” Cole said.

“There’s no waiting about in the cold, or having to think ‘where do I go next?’ That integrated transport link is vital.

“People can get around now by tram and by bus, when they’re arriving by train they’re able to do that.

“It’s not just about train, it’s not just about tram. They’ll be buses going there, we’ll have taxis there, so people will have choices.”

PHOTO: The first passengers to board the new Talbot Gateway tram extension at Blackpool North

Latest government figures showed that Blackpool’s tramway had over 4.9 million passengers in 2022/23 – growing from 4.2 million in 2021/22.

The network also generated over £6.8 million pounds in revenue in 2022/23.

Cole said the Blackpool Transport team have been working hard to develop new technology for the extension.

“We’ve had lots of people working on the project from a technical, engineering and contractor point of view,” Cole said.

“We’ve actually been training people on a simulator before they drive onto the network itself, so that when they go on there, they’ve had double the amount of training.

“From an operational point of view, we’ve been very busy."

The Blackpool Transport Managing Director said the launch of their new network has been met with great anticipation.

“1963 was the last time we had a tram go to North Station, but it’s been 87 years since a tram went up Talbot Road, so you can imagine the excitement and expectation of what’s going to happen now that we can finally do it again," Cole said.

“I’m looking forward to having the interconnectivity, making transport more sustainable and having a network that underpins the economic boom that’s going on in the town at the moment."

As well as offering new transport opportunities, the tram extension could also play a crucial role in supporting workers in the Talbot Gateway area, with plans for a new ‘Multiversity’ project and DWP building in place.

Alan Cavill, Director of communication and regeneration for Blackpool Council, said the network will support the future of jobs in the town.

“Most people see this as a tourist thing. It absolutely is, but it’s important to say that we’re going to see nearly 10,000 jobs created in the town centre over the next few years,” Cavill said.

“We need to make sure those jobs go to local people and the way that happens is by making sure the public transport works to get people from where they live to where they want to work.”

"It’s a really important link project to the town and really beneficial to the local community and to business.”

For a video tour of the new tram extension, visit our Facebook page @Coastal Radio DAB and our Instagram page @coastalradiodab.