£23 million is the cost I believe, which for 1000ft is rather costly. I'm sure it will bring some benefits for travellers arriving by train, however, I do think broader benefits could have come from other extension options, for example, investing in a dedicated park and ride site near the airport served by the tram system. Time will tell just how successful this extension will be. A lot will ride on how frequent trams serve the station and from which points on the network. I've heard suggestions it could be served by Fleetwood trams, or by trams turning short at cleveleys or little Bispham. For now it's a waiting game to see the confirmed route and timings, and of course loadings when the trams settle in to day to day running
@vonsausage6312 this may be the case, but if the trams only run Pleasure Beach/Little Bispham to North Station then there is little scope for picking up passengers heading into town. Time will tell and I hope the extension does prove worthwhile and the first of a future of more expansions. I do feel though, extending to Victoria Hospital via Layton would have provided a vastly more useful service to link the town by tram.
Initially they were testing the point interlocks with the signals and making sure the transponders operates the traffic lights correctly. This was completed fairly quickly and more recently it's just driver training so drivers are competent to start the service in a few weeks.
It will be good, although I hope the opening of the new route isn't at the detriment of service along the rest of the route. Hope you have a fab time at the show!
Seems like an awful lot of money has been spent for very little potential benefit when you consider the distance involved.
£23 million is the cost I believe, which for 1000ft is rather costly. I'm sure it will bring some benefits for travellers arriving by train, however, I do think broader benefits could have come from other extension options, for example, investing in a dedicated park and ride site near the airport served by the tram system. Time will tell just how successful this extension will be. A lot will ride on how frequent trams serve the station and from which points on the network. I've heard suggestions it could be served by Fleetwood trams, or by trams turning short at cleveleys or little Bispham. For now it's a waiting game to see the confirmed route and timings, and of course loadings when the trams settle in to day to day running
@vonsausage6312 this may be the case, but if the trams only run Pleasure Beach/Little Bispham to North Station then there is little scope for picking up passengers heading into town. Time will tell and I hope the extension does prove worthwhile and the first of a future of more expansions. I do feel though, extending to Victoria Hospital via Layton would have provided a vastly more useful service to link the town by tram.
Great vlog about time they used talbot road 0:25
It has certainly taken a lot longer than initially planned, but it will be good once everything is finished and the line open to passengers.
So what exactly are they testing?
Initially they were testing the point interlocks with the signals and making sure the transponders operates the traffic lights correctly. This was completed fairly quickly and more recently it's just driver training so drivers are competent to start the service in a few weeks.
@@StevenHughestransportvideos So will every tram go up Talbot road, from both ways?
@@johnholroyd7829 no, I think it will be every other tram. Although exact timetables haven't been publicised as yet
Great video Steven, it's already making Blackpool sound like a city :)
It certainly is, soon be time to start developing the next extension to the tramway
Be great as we're coming next year in April going to see only fools and horses at winter Gardens so get a tram from North Station to our hotel ❤
It will be good, although I hope the opening of the new route isn't at the detriment of service along the rest of the route. Hope you have a fab time at the show!