Preston Station - Feedback

Lincoln Shields of Tram Power explains that their scheme is to be financed completely by the private sector, effectively removing most of the political red-tape which could otherwise cause even the best scheme to be delayed for months or years...or indefinitely. More importantly, the scheme being promoted by the Bootle-based firm, doesn’t try to achieve too much in one go. By promoting a series of small, relatively achievable steps, there would seem to be a far better chance of success.

Stage one of Preston’s tram system could even be in place this summer. The Deepdale end of the former Longridge branch has been disused for 20 years now, but the line is officially "mothballed", with track still intact from the West Coast Main Line to Westview Leisure Centre. Tram Power are currently at an advanced stage of negotiation with Network Rail to take a lease on the section between Westview and the eastern portal of Miley Tunnel (North Road). That would enable them to set-up a demonstration line for their own prototype vehicle, which had already proved itself on the Blackpool tram system before a recent refurbishment. Tram Power want to be able to demonstrate all of their products, which also include a low-cost catenary and innovative street-running track system. The latter would be used on a re-laid crossing of Skeffington Road, which would also gain automatically controlled lights in place of crossing gates.

Preston once had an extensive street tram system, which like those in almost every other town in Britain, was removed when diesel busses began their domination of local public transport.

It's just possible that the demonstration line could provide the necessary spark, and focus minds on the potential benefits of trams for Preston. Having an actual working tram in our midst might actually make it hard not to promote a passenger-carrying service. The step from demo-line to a genuinely useful, commercial operation is again, a fairly small and achievable one. Stage 2 would see the line extended northwards to a new terminus at Deepdale Retail Park, with the southern limit being extended through Miley tunnel to the University campus. All the running would be on the former Longridge formation and would take advantage of the fact that the rails are still in-situ, requiring only minor attention to bring them up to the undemanding standards required for lightweight tram vehicles.

Looking further ahead, it is hoped that Preston’s first passenger-carrying trams of the 21st century, would be the beginning of substantial network of lines radiating from the city centre. Extensive use would be made of disused railway routes, in order to maximise the positive effect of taking buses off the roads. Listed below are the routes which are being considered. These range from the easily achievable, like Walton-Le-Dale Capitol Centre (via the former East Lancs Extension), to an ambitious 14km line to Leyland and Chorley. Some of these are long-term aspirations rather than firm plans at this stage, but by laying-out the full range of possibilities Tram Power hopes that some of their own enthusiasm will rub-off on politicians and potential commercial backers.

It's easy to be a sceptic about Tram Power's plans. Preston doesn't have a good record when it comes to transport and infrastructure projects - most recently the stop-start Tithebarn scheme. It's fairly clear though, that what is needed is some positive thinking and a "can do" attitude. This is our best chance to resurrect some of our former railway routes whilst providing a genuinely useful, environmentally friendly, transport system for Preston and South Lancashire, and should therefore be given all the support it can be given.

Hopefully the demonstration line will come to fruition very soon and provide a very visible glimpse of what could be. With enough public and commercial support we could help to promote Preston to the premier league of cities like Sheffield, Manchester which have modern public transit systems.

Routes

Rolling-stock

Track system