Councillor calls for answers over tram safety

A councillor has called for urgent answers after safety concerns over a resort's trams were raised by a transport watchdog.

The Office of Rail and Road found there was a risk of "derailment or collision" of Blackpool's trams, linked to worn components known as bogies. It said the repairs had to be carried out by 19 June.

Councillor Paul Galley, the leader of Blackpool's Conservative opposition group, said the situation raised major questions about why proper investment in tram maintenance had not been prioritised.

However, Blackpool Council said it had "invested significantly" in transport and it had the resources to carry out maintenance and investment in the stock and keep people safe.

Blackpool Transport said safety had always been its top priority and it had already made improvements.

Councillor Galley said the government had provided Blackpool Council with more than £68m in 2009 to modernise the tramway system.

He added: "Questions now need to be asked of the council's leadership as to why that investment was not sustained, particularly when the council has received millions of pounds in dividends from Blackpool Transport over the years.

"It is deeply concerning that we now find ourselves almost back in the same position as we were before the 2009 upgrade - dealing with worn equipment and serious concerns about maintenance standards.

"This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of Blackpool's tramway system, yet it appears that opportunity has been squandered through a lack of long-term investment planning."

However, cabinet member Mark Smith, said the council had "invested significantly" in transport to maintain and upgrade the stock and "keep people safe".

He added that he had "absolute faith" that the "issue is being taken exceptionally seriously and sorted".

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