Light Rail Transit Association   URBAN TRANSIT NEWS 2005

photo David Suffolk

Southport Pier tram arrives: Southport Pier is the longest overland pier an Great Britain and has recently be restored at a cost of over GBP7Million. The Pier was listed as a Grade 2 building in 1976 as a structure of special architecture and historic interest but was closed in 1998 for safety reasons. A campaign was launched to save the pier which became in 1991 the Southport Pier Trust (SPT). By 1999, Sefton Council and the Pier Trust had raised funds to commence the restoration the first phase of which was completed in 2002 and included relocating the tram track to the center (as it was in 1863) of a widened deck and the construction of a pier pavilion offering superb views out across the South Sefton Coast and North Wales. The arrival of the tram heralds another phase of the restoration.

26 July 2005

photo David Suffolk

The 100 seater tram (manufactured by UK Loco) went into public service on 1st August with an adult single faree of GBP1.20 (the same as the road train which it replaces).

6 August 2005