Preston Trams... still on-track?

When Tram Power's planning application for the Deepdale branch and the site of the former Deepdale Coal Concentration Depot, was rejected by Preston CC last year, understandably most people thought that would be the end of the road. Not so, it seems.

The team behind the planned "Guild Line", have prepared new reports to address the two remaining issues which were cited as the reasons for the rejection in July. They now plan to re-apply for planning permission by the end of February. Below is a copy of a letter being circulated to Councillors ahead of the application.

Dear Councillor,

The Trampower team met last week to review progress and discuss our fresh application for phase 1 of the Guild Line.

To try and overcome the objections to our previous application we attended a pre application meeting with LCC and PCC back in July 2015. We have since tabled an amended noise report and modifications to our crossing at Deepdale Mill St to try and allay the safety concerns of LCC. To date despite several enquiries we have failed to get any feedback from this meeting that cost us £400.

In view of this and the short time frame available for our re-application, (we must re apply within twelve months of the refusal) we intend to resubmit our application for this pulpit tramway by the end of February with a revised noise report and in the absence of a response from LCC, a crossing for Deepdale Mill St that complies with national guidelines and meets the approval of the railway inspector.

To address the safety objections of LCC we will have special arrangements in place whilst testing and training are in progress until local residents become used to the tram system.

Wishing you all a happy New Year and hoping that this year will see us able to start to deliver our vision for Preston.