Blackpool trams

[62440]

It's not the bean counters that are to blame on this, the regulations have changed, the vehicles must be fully accessible. Are there level access boarding points being introduced? This is so that wheelchair users can enjoy a ride too as well as us able-bodied bods. The old trams were just not designed for this and probably not able to be adapted.
I doubt that there are many commuters in Blackpool, but coming into Blackpool from the places between Fleetwood and Blackpool could be a whole other "kettle of Fish"!

Regards, 62440.

[WatcherZero]

Indeed, some units have been granted an exception under maximum annual running days (I think its 5 weeks a year but dont quote me on that) to preserve them but all other units need to be wheelchair accessible along with other disability reqs like a different colour around the doors to raise visibility, minimum door widths, minimum seat spacings, wheelchair/pram spaces, grab poles and seat holds have to be in a certain location and size and painted yellow.


Heres a copy of the regs, theyve just legislated to create seperate versions for light rail and heavy rail vehicles with the split occuring 6 April (previously heavy rail regs applied to light rail with a long list of exceptions and exemptions), however since they were based on heavy rail regs theres at the moment no difference between them (for example regs on catering cars and toilets while no UK light rail vehicle has either or is likely to ever have either). Having seperated them however allows them to change in future allowing each to evolve to its own needs.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/pdf...0100432_en.pdf

A handful of heritage units are being converted to the new safety regs for general use (touristy routes) and another handful could be used on special occasions with the new fleet forming the bulk of services.

[Tony]

Having lived in Blackpool and Fleetwood in the past, I can confirm that there are quite a few commuters, especially in the mornings with staff coming into Blackpool to serve the tourists their breakfast and clean the hotel rooms. They also go home later in the day.
I don't understand the people knocking the Manchester Metro system, it seems to work well and serves it's catchment areas very well with frequent services (every 12 minutes). If I remember correctly, the Bury and Altrincham train services were half hourly, no contest!
If the Blackpool tramway was brought into the 21st century, it would be a great improvement. As previous contributors have pointed out, safety requirements have changed. Remember that the Balloon trams built in 1935 were built on wooden frames, 75 years later they are having ageing problems and the craftsmen to maintain them are in very short supply.

[enigma45]

Blackpool would do us all a favour if they could have all the preserved cars at Crich running the seafront in summer. Crich is OK but out-of-the way and to have a ride on a "Coronation" or "Feltham" in a proper toen setting would be lovely. It would be the best tramway museum around and would earn Blackpool more cash too. This health and safety mob are killjoys.

[62440]

What has Health and Safety got to do with making things accessible for disabled people? The old trams were just inaccessible to any one in a wheelchair or unable to climb up or down steps.

Regards, 62440.

[enigma45]

Originally Posted by 62440

What has Health and Safety got to do with making things accessible for disabled people? The old trams were just inaccessible to any one in a wheelchair or unable to climb up or down steps.

Regards, 62440.

In fact the old trams were not so inaccessble as you might think. London trams would carry a large pram or wheelchair on the front platform. It was not unkown for the occupants of said items to remain in situ and in the case of a wheelchairee have a natter with the driver while going along. Crews have been known to lift a non walking person on and off of the car at start and end of the journey. I think Glasgow crews would do the same if men.

[railwaybuddy]

Originally Posted by colchesterken

I cannot believe it as someone who likes to go every 3 or 4 yrs just bor the atmasphere or the fish n chips pleasure beach and the trams always do the whole run out to fleetwood

the tram at the moment dont run the full way up to fleetwood because there are no track for the trams to run on,

and im not trying to bor the atmosphere im just saying what is going on and all the problems they have got.

and just answer me a few questions plz:
1)how are the trams ment to run to fleetwood ferry when there is no track there?
2)how are tram ment to run with no over heads between cleveleys and ash street?

[morty]

The whole route to Fleetwood will reopen when the upgrade is complete.

There are plenty of commuters between blackpool and fleetwood that will benefit by the modern trams and stops.

The heritage trams will still run in the summer so everyone is happy

There have been proposals for extending the route up the talbot gateway to the North train station and / or using tram / train technology to link into the Network Rail infrastructure at the pleasure beach.

Alternativley there is a scheme to reopen the old fleetwood to poulton le fylde railway as a light rail link as well....

All things a possibility

[railwaybuddy]

Originally Posted by morty

There have been proposals for extending the route up the talbot gateway to the North train station and / or using tram / train technology to link into the Network Rail infrastructure at the pleasure beach.

now that sounds like a good idea

cant wait till it opens

[Manxman]

Despite it's a shame that the 'classic' fleet won't be the same, at least they aren't just closing the line. There are still going to be open Boats, a few Balloons, a pair of Standards plus a few others to hang on to.