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Work starts on getting trams back on track
Work to bring trams back to Preston for the first time in 60 years is due to start next week.
Tram Power Limited wants to build a demonstrator line through Deepdale, with the hopes of eventually extending the line from Bluebell Way in Fulwood into the city centre.
Experts will be on site in the next few days, carrying out “preliminary surveys” and assessing how much repair and improvement work needs to be done to the Network Rail track which once carried trains between Preston and Longridge.
The Merseyside-based firm has submitted a planning application for the trial line from the rear of West View leisure centre up to the entrance to the Miley Tunnel in Deepdale, between Skeffington Road/St Pauls Road and Deepdale Road.
Work, which has already begun with some clearance work, will include building a platform and erecting masts and overhead cable.
Architects at the MCK Partnership, based in Fulwood, have designed the scheme which also includes fencing and gates at the tunnel entrance to allow the tram to be garaged inside.
It is hoped the demonstrator line will then be included within the £21m ‘Guild Line’ which bosses hope to open in time for the 2012 celebrations.
Coun Terry Cartwright, who represents the Deepdale ward, said: “Hopefully, if it takes off, it’ll be wonderful.They’re going to have to shift a lot of rubbish to make a tram way. Hopefully, fly-tipping should become a thing of the past but, in the beginning, they’re going to have to keep their eyes open for a settee being chucked on the line. And it will stop all the anti-social behaviour that’s been happening in that area for good.”
The Guild Line will start outside the Booths headquarters, run along Bluebell Way towards junction 31a of the M6 and up to the Fulwood Row roundabout. It would link up with the cycle path on the former Preston-Longridge rail line close to Sulby Drive in Ribbleton, past the Deepdale Retail Park and West View, before heading to Fletcher Road, down Deepdale Road, past the prison, and across Ringway onto Church Street and the railway station.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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Comments
There are 9 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Frenchwoody
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 12:53 AMI'm still puzzled about the economics of this project. Sure, a tram (the *only* Trampower vehicle) will be demonstrated; that's fun. But how will the funds be raised to finance the legally necessary roadwork and utility reconstruction along public highways, assuming the Lancashire County Council, the highways authority, permits the work? How can Trampower prevent or counter competion from both Stagecoach, Preston Bus or any other bus firm along the parallel road route? If there's so much cash to be generated on this route surely cheaper competitors will move in.
kezzer
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:56 PMI hope it brings work for locals....sustainability is another question.Hope it expands and is succesfull. More jobs for Preston!
Shabbagaz
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:21 PMman looney - it'll help some of the people of Deepdale, Ribbleton and others get to work as well as providing a much-needed transport link to Deepdale Retail Park. Didn't realise it had to serve every area to make it viable. Idiot.
ratus ratur6
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 05:08 PMErr what about Gammul Lane once there was a bridge but LCC numpties leveled it and I am sue the ocupants of the station house would love the thought of trams!
AdoptedByPreston
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 03:40 PMmatthill - I love the idea of a combined bus station and tram station, especially with the parking at the bus station - it would be like a proper integrated park and ride system. Obviously plonking it by the train station would be great but I'm not sure they have the room down there - plus that would be at the opposite end of the town to the John Lewis Development....oh but they only want to go ahead with that if they can knock down the bus station. Doh! I used to work in Blackburn and live in Southport - it took 2 buses and the bus station was a god send rather than waiting at a windy bus stop for a connection although I hear what you're saying man_looney. Now I've access to a car I wouldn't do the journey by public transport anymore - still for those that don't havedon't want cars it's a transport interchange and the tramlines could be a good system.
man looney
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 03:02 PMYeah Really! So I live in Oakenclough, or Brinscall etc. How does this tram get me to work on Preston docks? No it wont, I still have to drive.
Shabbagaz
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 01:28 PMman looney - this tram WILL operate between where people work and live, as well as shopping.
man looney
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 12:31 PMHere we go again, let the cutpaste begin. I just hope not one penny of public money gets spent on this white elephant. If it is commercially viable, let private money back it. These systems don't work, they do not operate between where people live and work. If you have to drive to a tram stop, you might as well continue your journey.
matthill
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:08 AMWhilst, I guess, any form of real progress on the transport front is to be hugely welcomed, there can be many many dangers with uncoordinated & peicemeal development such as this. The overriding priority, simply above all else, is to put in place a fully operational integrated transport strategy, without which the City Centre and its immediate & middle distance environs will soon simply choke to death. And the vital first step towards such a transport facility remains a comprehensive fully funded feasibility study of ALL the transport options available, (be they bus, guided bus, Parry People Movers, Trampower, train and tramway (rapid transport), etc.). Pivotal too, to a fully operational integrated transport strategy for Preston involving tramway operation, should be a central bustram interchange based on a fully and appropriately refurbished & user friendly present Bus Station, whilst another similar facility may, ultimately, prove viable in the immediate vicinity of the Railway Station.
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