SINTROPHER Partner Meeting WP2 Workshop WP2A15 Economic Feasibility of Fylde Coast TramTrain and Tram-Rail Options
Contents Context: Existing tram and rail infrastructure Phase 1 (complete): Outline economic feasibility of options Tram extension to Airport Tram extension to South Fylde Line Tram train on South Fylde Line Tram extension to North Fylde Line Tram train on North Fylde Line Phase 2 (ongoing): Detailed economic feasibility of options Business and stakeholder consultation Demand for travel Local economic effects Wider economic benefits
Tram Extension to Blackpool Airport
Airport Passenger Demand
Mode of Travel To/From Blackpool Airport
Geographic Distribution of Airport Passengers 92% from outside tram catchment
Tram Extension to Blackpool Airport: Conclusions Airport passenger demand seems to have peaked Geographic distribution of passengers is not aligned with tramway Potential demand for tram extension is too low to demonstrate a fundable business case
Tram Extension to South Fylde Line
Preferred Alignment: New Road
Passenger Demand: Rail
Bus network 8+ buses per hour between St Annes/Lytham and Blackpool Frequent bus service which penetrates much deeper into urban areas than the tram
Passenger Demand: Bus Bus carries 90% of the passenger demand between north+central and south parts of Fylde Coast TripsRailBusTotal Daily3603,0003,360 Annual132,0001,100,0001,232,000
Curtailment of Heavy Rail on South Fylde Line Some existing rail passengers are disadvantaged Least worst place to curtail is St Annes Origin of tripsTram train to Preston Tram to St AnnesTram to St Annes (with BPN link) Preston+20,000-20,000- Through Preston-5,000 Intermediate+20,000+1,000 (Min.) -3,000 +1,000 (Min.) -3,000 Net position+35,000-27,000-7,000
Tram Extension to South Fylde Line Existing demand on SFL is small Business case dependent on transfer from large existing bus market Funding opportunities: Interchange only: no case Extension to St Annes/Lytham: possible business case – also good as intermediate step towards full tram train Tram train: currently too expensive, option for future
Tram Extension to North Fylde Line
Preferred Alignment: Talbot Road/High Street
Passenger Demand: Rail
Blackpool North Passenger Origins/Destinations Within 800m of Tramway
Mode of Travel To/From Blackpool North
Tram Extension to North Fylde Line Large potential market: 1,600,000 passengers per year 53% with origins/destinations close to tramway 65% currently walk or use bus to access the station Disadvantage to existing passengers travelling north-south or vice versa through North Pier 35% existing tram passengers in high season 30% in low season Business case depends on relative attraction of extension versus disadvantage to existing through passengers Funding opportunities: Tram train: expensive with little added benefit Interchange: business case appears plausible
Ongoing Work: Phase 2 Business consultation Public consultation Wider economic benefits Spatial distribution of economic benefits Social and Distributional Impacts Demand forecasting Ticketing Low Cost Alternative Engineering/Design/Costs (by Mott McDonald) Outputs: Detailed Option Comparison Business Case