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Tram Talk

Disclaimer : The opinions and commentary voiced on this page are those of the author and do not have the automatic endorsement of the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust unless otherwise stated.

Aug 31, 2019

No March Or Protests Here

Referendum Result in Blackpool Voting District 23 June 2016 Total Number of Ballot Papers Counted : 66,959 Total Number of Votes Cast in Favour of Remain : 21,781 Total Number of Votes Cast in Favour of LEAVE : 45,146 Against a flood of contrived outcries over the Government's Prorogation of Parliament what is it that elected representatives of the people don't get from the outcome of the 2016 Referendum ? The closer this Government inches to the legal date by which the

Promenade Follies

Aug 30, 2019

Promenade Follies

Blackpool's annual Lights Switch On is with us complete with promenade closure and tramway service dislocated. Amid the due diligence now underway to review the exact circumstances by which a young cyclist found himself under a tram last week - some attention should be given to the visibility of Blackpool's trams. The fact is that the colours and livery design of the Council owned light rail vehicles are a danger to other road users and pedestrians. Having a dark purple fr

Stanley Park - Best Green Space in England

Aug 30, 2019

Stanley Park - Best Green Space in England

Blackpool's green space - Stanley Park - received the nomination from a national charity this week as being the best park in England. Opened in 1926 Stanley Park was initially planned to be connected with Marton's tramway by a new branch off Whitegate Drive running into the park itself. However the Town Council had set its mind against further street tram expansion by that time and instead a small fleet of diminutive open 'toastrack' buses operated a shuttle service to the

Aug 29, 2019

Ride The Lights : Close The Promenade And The Tram Service

The serious incident involving a young person on South Promenade on Monday is a tragic event which called for rescue teams releasing the victim from underneath the tramcar. Quite understandably he is undergoing medical specialist attention for severe injuries. There is now a formal investigation ongoing to determine the sequence of events and exact circumstance in which the tram and young cyclist became in conflict. This must run its course before definitive statements on t

Correction : Not Quite Forgotten Fleetwood

Aug 26, 2019

Correction : Not Quite Forgotten Fleetwood

Our Posting on Monday this week drew reference from published media news reports of a Billion Pound fund to aid regeneration of town centre (below). I am advised from an informed source that in fact FLEETWOOD was included in an original list (July 5, 2019) of English towns standing to benefit from this Government initiative. In fact the listing had just been expanded to one hundred town centres across England - of which both Blackpool and Kirkham are beneficiaries. I sta

HS 2 3 4 to 15 ?

Aug 21, 2019

HS 2 3 4 to 15 ?

Before Beeching. Blackpool Central Station with real trains providing plenty of seats, no standing and frequent services. Image : John Woodman Archive There are so many competing headlines each day that it is difficult to determine which has the most implications for the people of this country. However the woes of Britain's railways have been a constant feature week in week out for the past few years. Not the least of which is the abysmal set up which the country's tr

Once Upon A Time On Abingdon Street

Aug 20, 2019

Once Upon A Time On Abingdon Street

For those of us with long enough memories the name 'Bateson's' will bring back immediate memories of a Blackpool institution - namely the leading toy and hobby shop in the town centre. Located on Abingdon Street in the 1950s then a thriving commercial thoroughfare which also boasted 'Coop & Naylor' - a quality book and stationary store, as well as 'Hunters' the upmarket mens apparel and store on the corner with Clifton Street. The GPO was actually a busy major postal offic

Council At Work

Aug 18, 2019

Council At Work

Road closure of Corporation Street behind the former BHS block is allowing Blackpool Council's operational services team to continue with the redesigned bus stance layout. This provides for angled bays similar to the successful format installed on Market Street. Smart new signage has appeared informing all and sundry of the improvements being made to transport infrastructure at this point. Of course Corporation Street has been a favoured bus terminus for nearly eighty years

Scottish Memories

Aug 14, 2019

Scottish Memories

For those of us old enough to recall the later years of Glasgow's once amazing tram system with 'caurs' scarred and worn still dominating certain districts and the city's principal commercial centre - it is reassuring to see survivors now carefully tended and in display condition. This is a far cry from their final chapter in the early 1960s. Such was the size and scale of Glasgow's tramway that it still merited several operating depots almost to the end : Maryhill, Dennis

Blackpool's Premier Coachbuilder -
Once Upon A Time

Aug 12, 2019

Blackpool's Premier Coachbuilder - Once Upon A Time

The name HV Burlingham was forever associated with innovative styling and craftsmanship in UK bus and coachbuilding industry. Set up by a Norfolk cabinet maker who moved to Blackpool following the end of the First World War - the company he founded bearing his name went on to be a market leader and important employer in the town from the early 1930s up to takeover by Hendon-based Duple Coachbuilders in the early 1960s. The company was favoured by Blackpool's municipal transp

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