Norbreck North return please

Blackpool's Mayor and Mayoress were on hand to formally declare open (and operating) the new tram stop (sorry - station) at Norbreck North yesterday. With a crowd of well wishers the new platforms with a dedicated light controlled crossing for pedestrians on the seafront road - were declared open for business.

Councillor Callow, representative for Anchorsholme had campaigned hard to get the former tram stop at Norbreck North returned to serve residents of the extensive housing development which runs behind the promenade at this point. This stop had been one of many eliminated in the light rail upgrade and created a lengthy gap between Norbreck and Little Bispham.

Mrs Woodman tests out the new stop a few hours after its official opening.......

A pathway through to the roadway from the estate allows pedestrian (and mobility) access - and a new inclined path for mobility aids has been built on the eastern side of the roadway. The Council team are to be congratulated on completing the work in sometimes awful weather with regrading of the trackside area to allow construction of platforms and insertion of utilities and other electrical fittings necessary at all tram stops.

A new shelter is to be added as part of the replacement of all the existing tram shelters along the line (at least in Blackpool). Very welcome and necessary on this exposed stretch of tramway serving residents of the town. Hopefully other missing stops may eventually and in time, reappear for the benefit of regular travellers between Blackpool and Fleetwood. News of the tram extension to North Station will no doubt return two old favourite destinations to trams - Talbot Square and North Station, Blackpool !