A vision to have trams running on the streets of Preston again looks set to remain stalled.
AdvertisementCouncillors on the planning committee have been recommended to reject the latest application from Preston Trampower.
The company wants to re-open a section of the former Deepdale to Longridge line and create a new tram station.
But council planners say “insufficient information” has been provided to allow the tram line to go ahead.
Trampower came close to being accepted at a November planning meeting after years of rejection by Preston City Council. Councillors had indicated they did support the idea of a tram line but felt there was not enough detail in the plans.
Now the exact same application has been put back in for councillors to consider but planning officers have maintained their stance of rejection.
They write: “The principle of the proposed tramway at the application site would not conflict with the land-use policies for the site within the adopted Preston Local Plan. However, the applicant has failed to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposal would not have any unacceptable adverse impacts upon the strategic and local highway network and upon the safety of pedestrians and passengers.
“In addition, insufficient noise impact assessment information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would not have any adverse impacts to the amenities of local residents through noise and disturbance.”
The tram plan would see a short section of line from Skeffington Road to Deepdale Street brought back into use, running predominantly along the railway line. Trams have not run in Preston since the mid-1930s.
Professor Lewis Lesley, one of the directors behind the tram firm, said at the November planning committee he had private investment lined up to support Trampower’s tram plan but needed planning permission first.
The officers report on the trams is available to view on the city council website.
Councillors will make a decision on the application at planning committee on Monday 12 January from 10am at the Town Hall.
What do you think about trams for Preston? Do you support them? Or are you against them? Let us know in the comments below