Plans to secure the continued operation of Blackpool's heritage trams has moved forward with the launch of Tramtown Vision, to secure the future of the town's tram heritage centre project.
The Vision is based on four parts, and the combined efforts from public donations, ticket sales from visitors to Tramtown, and support from Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport have secured the necessary finance to deliver phase one.
In Phase One, a third of the Tramshed will receive a new roof, new head beam, and a new partition wall. The gutters and drains will also be repaired, and the engineering equipment relocated to the redeveloped facility. This will ensure that heritage trams can receive ongoing maintenance and continue running for years to come.
With the public's support, an enhanced Phase One scheme can be delivered by installing new purpose-built doors for a third of the Tram shed. These new purpose-built doors will cost £70,000, but their benefit is that they will keep wind and rain out of the new facility, create better working conditions for the engineers, and protect the trams stored in that part of the Tramshed. It would result in the Tramshed's first truly water-tight area and support the next three development phases.
As well as helping support the maintenance and development of the Tram fleet, Tramtown will support Blackpool's regeneration by bringing in visitors and creating economic growth, as well as ensuring the future of Blackpool's transport heritage is assured for the future.
Anyone wishing to support the appeal for new doors for the Tramshed can do so at the project's gofundme page at Donate to Rigby Road Tram Shed Doors. Every penny raised will take the project closer to its target to provide a safe and inspirational future for Blackpool's heritage and Illuminated trams.
A funding bid work is now being prepared for the three other phases of Tramtown. That includes a complete replacement of the roof on the remaining two-thirds of the depot, new doors, and a new exhibition area that will include a cafe, conference facilities, retail areas, and a mezzanine floor, which will allow visitors the chance to walk and view all the trams from above.
