Construction jobs in the North West could be created by tram funding

10/06/2009 17:18:15

An ambitious £100 million project to upgrade Blackpool's Fleetwood tram service could create new construction jobs in the North West of England.

Work is scheduled to begin this month, with 16 new trams expected to be operational by April 2012, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

Announcing the scheme, it revealed that replacement track and extra stops will also be used to modernise the 120-year-old network.

In total, the DfT will provide £68.3 million of funding, while Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council will put up the remaining £33.4 million.

New transport Sadiq Khan said: "This scheme will deliver significant benefits for the local community, and I am delighted that one of my first tasks as Transport Minister is to give it the go ahead.

"Trams have been running in Blackpool for over 100 years - I hope this funding will mean the historic, world-famous Tramway can continue to run well into the future."

Meanwhile, Kier Engineering Services has announced successful completion of a £11.5 million renovation of Newcastle's Great North Museum.

Construction Jobs in the North West

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