New £100m Blackpool tram derails on first day

Updated
New £100m Blackpool tram derails on first day
New £100m Blackpool tram derails on first day

Stock photo: Rex


One of Blackpool's shiny new trams has come off the rails - one day after launching following a £100 million upgrade.

Managing Director of Blackpool Transport called the derailment "not a good start" and sand on the track had been the cause of the problem.

The new fleet of 16 computerised trams working out of Fleetwood Ferry will replace the heritage vehicles, which will continue to run for tourists, according to the BBC.

The new trams, which were built by Bombardier in Germany, are 32m (105ft) long and split into five sections.

They can carry up to 150 passengers and will travel across 11 miles of coastline.

The £100 million upgrade took four years and saw seven miles of track replace, as well as a new tram depot built.

When running smoothly, the new trams are faster than the old ones, and are likely to cut many journey times by up to 15 minutes.

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