Blackpool Heritage Trams, which have operated for over 100 years, are at risk of retirement. Despite reassurances that the current suspended service will be back after safety upgrades, local reporters uncovered financial issues that might be at the heart of the problem.
A history to be proud of
Although the North-West seaside town Blackpool has its share of economic woes, it boasts treasured historic landmarks including Blackpool Tower, a structure visible throughout the town, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and three famous piers dating back to Victorian times.
An often forgotten jewel in Blackpool’s crown is the heritage electric tramway, which has operated continuously for over 137 years and is regarded as the oldest electric tramway in the United Kingdom.
Campaigner Louise Lepitak said: “Blackpool’s identity is intertwined with the Blackpool trams.” After a century and a half of service, Lepitak says, the trams “deserve more than a fragment of presence”.
Off the rails
People such as Lepitak have an emotional connection to the Blackpool trams. In late 2024 she expressed concern, saying the trams were “at risk of being discarded and forgotten”. She launched a petition to garner support for her campaign to save the heritage trams.
Lepitak traced the issue back to 2012 when new tramcars were introduced and several heritage trams retired. Some of the trams remained operational as a Heritage Tram tour service, but others were sold or scrapped.
The campaign asked influential people in Blackpool Council and Blackpool Heritage Trams to “acknowledge the significance of the heritage trams, preserve the cultural icon for future generations, and ensure all heritage trams have the opportunity to ride the tracks once more.”
In early December, Heritage Trams Blackpool claimed it had reviewed the situation and suspended the Heritage Tram tours because operating the older trams had “become increasingly challenging”. It cited issues with depot space, tram movements and safety and maintenance challenges.
The organisation said: “The decision was taken to support the evolving needs of the business and maintain the overall operational efficiency.”
Future direction
After thousands signed Lepitak’s petition, Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, responded to campaigners on December 10, announcing that while the service was temporarily suspended, the future of the heritage trams was safe and the service would aim to resume in 2025.
Heritage Trams claimed that the suspension of the service would enable it to “future-proof and safely grow its core tram network after a North Station extension”.
It says the upgrades are “an essential part of our ambition to maintain safety during busy times such as the summer, illuminations and the Christmas period when a high volume of tourists visit the resort”.
Heritage Trams said in December it is “dedicated to finding innovative opportunities to honour and showcase Blackpool’s iconic tramway history”.
Despite the good news, Cole sounded a word of caution, stating: “Before the service can resume there are a number of complex operational issues that need to be addressed”. Cole did not specify what these issues entailed. She said: “Whilst Heritage Trams work on these issues, it has made the decision to suspend the operation of the trams.”
Cole apologised to the public on behalf of Heritage Trams for the disappointment and inconvenience the suspension has caused to tram passengers but claimed: “It is the right decision at this time.”
Mask slipped?
On December 15 matters took another turn when Luke Beardsworth, a journalist at The Blackpool Lead, reported that the Office of Rail and Road, the government body responsible for safety on Britain’s railways, denied that the service had required suspension for safety upgrades. The report claimed the decision was more likely the result of “financial issues”. It reported that some critics felt the service suspension was suspiciously timed with the launch of a special Christmas tram which charged £20 for rides. Tickets for this service were subsequently refunded.
According to Luke Beardsworth’s report, Blackpool Council’s latest accounts for December 2024 contained healthy profits of £139,205 for the financial year. However, there was a loss of £1.6 million for 2023 which needed to be offset.
Town councillor Emma Ellison said that “no incidents or safety concerns had been reported” and described the explanation given as a big red flag. She added: “The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is also not currently investigating any crashes involving trams on the Fylde coast”..
Blackpool Transport said that “ensuring the ongoing safety and sustainability of the service has become increasingly complex”. However, the Office for Rail and Road seemed to pour cold water over Blackpool Transport’s claim. It said it has not been involved and that “such safety measures are not required to run a vintage fleet of heritage trams, which can be safely driven by eye”.
Cole from Blackpool Transport did not respond to The Lead’s request for comment.
Lottery funding?
On 16 January 2025 progress was being made in the campaign to save Blackpool’s Heritage Trams when ‘volunteers hoped to be in a position to submit a bid for National Lottery funding’. A fresh cash injection would be targeted at ‘upgrading the Rigby Road tram shed into a museum’.
