Blackpool Tramlines

[LYRobert]

I remember as a boy riding my bike down Squires Gate Lane towards the sea, and there was a double track tram-line on my left, complete with overhead. The line turned north along the road for a bit before joining the line along the front, but it had, even then, that melancholy look of dis-use. It was the same weekend that the Big Dipper burnt down.

Yet I never see this line indicated on any maps or plans, and never mentioned in any time-table. I assume now (it's 2025 !) that it connected the end of the Lytham Road line to the promenade line.

Not only dis-used, but abandoned, taken up and and now forgotten - almost.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Might this have been the one-time Lytham St. Anne's Corporation Tramway? Branched off from Starr Gate, crossed the heavy rail line near Squires Gate station, then passed the depot, before turning left (Northwards) along Lytham Road. Closed April 1937.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

I remember as a boy riding my bike down Squires Gate Lane towards the sea, and there was a double track tram-line on my left, complete with overhead. The line turned north along the road for a bit before joining the line along the front, but it had, even then, that melancholy look of dis-use. It was the same weekend that the Big Dipper burnt down.

Yet I never see this line indicated on any maps or plans, and never mentioned in any time-table. I assume now (it's 2025 !) that it connected the end of the Lytham Road line to the promenade line.

Not only dis-used, but abandoned, taken up and and now forgotten - almost.

Yes, there was a connecting line between Starr Gate and the Lytham Road line over the bridge past Squires Gate station. It closed in 1961 - circular tours used to operate on this section. It also originally allowed acess to Lytham's tram depot which subsequently became the bus depot.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

This early 1930s era Ordnance Survey map (25 inch scale) should help further. You'll need to be looking mid centre on the right hand side of the map. N.B. Squires Gate railway station didn't open until September 1931, so shortly after the O.S. map was published.

View map: Ordnance Survey, Lancashire LVIII.8 (Blackpool; Lytham St Annes) - Ordnance Survey 25 inch England and Wales, 1841-1952

maps.nls.uk

 

[LYRobert]

This early 1930s era Ordnance Survey map (25 inch scale) should help further. You'll need to be looking mid centre on the right hand side of the map. N.B. Squires Gate railway station didn't open until September 1931, so shortly after the O.S. map was published.

View map: Ordnance Survey, Lancashire LVIII.8 (Blackpool; Lytham St Annes) - Ordnance Survey 25 inch England and Wales, 1841-1952

maps.nls.uk

Many thanks Mcr Warrior - your OS map explains it all.
LYRobert