Flexity 018 in Cleveleys

Flexity 018 in Cleveleys passing BTS Enviro 409 on the service 9 to Blackpool

The last of Blackpool Transport's two new Flexity trams completed its delivery journey from the Bombardier factory in Germany on Friday 15th December. The normal route to Starr Gate depot was unavailable to the hauliers because of Squires Gate Lane railway bridge being closed due to repair work. The route selected took the convoy and police escorts all the way north via trunk roads to Thornton-Cleveleys, then back south along the Promenade through Blackpool. In the centre of Cleveleys the low loader had to make a tricky manoeuvre at the junction of Victoria Road West and The Crescent. The transporter had to travel along the wrong side of the road through the traffic lights at Victoria Square, nosing into the tram tracks south of the junction, a reversing manoeuvre was then made across the square into Brighton Avenue, before heading south along The Crescent and on to Blackpool.

Flexity 018 passing through the traffic lights at Victoria Rd West on the wrong side of the road

Flexity 018 and transporter crossing over Victoria Square in Cleveleys

The low loader manoeuvring nose first into the tram tracks at Victoria Square, Cleveleys

The low loader straddled across the tram tracks in the centre of Cleveleys

The low loader reversing across Victoria Square in Cleveleys