A NEW £23million tramline is set to open in one of the UK's most popular seaside towns this weekend, making it much easier for visitors to get straight to the beach. The trams have returned to the site for the first time in more than 60 years, after they were replaced by buses in 1963. More than 20 million people visit Blackpool each year and now those tourists will have quick and efficient access to the town's famous seafront.
The new trams will travel directly from Blackpool North train station to the town's promenade, with some parts of the existing network almost 140 years old. It is the only original tramway in Britain to have stayed in continuous operation that long. The new line includes a 600 metre track extension connecting the pre-existing line with a new tram stop by the station.
The reopening of the line after 60 years excited some residents so much that they entered a competition to be among the first passengers to take the historic trip up Talbot Road, where the line will run. The inaugural journey happened on Wednesday, June 12, while Blackpool Transport has also been running a range of special tours ahead of its official opening on Sunday, June 16. Once up and running, the trams will leave and arrive at the new North Station tram stop roughly every fifteen minutes between 5:45am and 11:45pm.
These routes will work alongside with the mainline tram operation which continues to run between Starr Gate and Fleetwood. As well as being in an advantageous position fo.
