How transport could regenerate Blackpool

Among the ideas are the expansion of a cycle hire scheme, car sharing and charging points for electric vehicles in all the town's car parks
Blackpool could be regenerated by a series of transport initiatives. Photograph: Graeme Robertson

Blackpool is hoping to replicate the success of the London Oyster travel card in an effort to use transport as a driver for regeneration in the resort.

Initiatives that are being mooted as part of the £5m scheme include a park-and-ride scheme and installing charging points for electric cars in all its main car parks.

Other proposals include cycle storage at tram stops, car-sharing, a cycle courier service and electronic signs directing vehicles to the main visitor attractions in the seaside resort.

A smart phone app would accompany the travel card and could provide maps and links to transport and tourist attractions.

The current bike rental scheme could extend across the whole Fylde and Wyre coast so that cyclists could tour the area on hired wheels.

If the Department of Transport bid is successful, it is hoped to reduce congestion and traffic fumes, drive economic growth and improve transport links, the Blackpool Gazette reports, with an artist's impression of a gleaming purple super tram that could form part of the plan.

Despite Blackpool's faded reputation, it remains popular with tourists and was last week fourth in the top UK staycation destinations. When I last visited on a blustery February day, it was evident that a lot of work needs to be done if it can compete with the elegant likes of Brighton.

However, it was clear from the cycle route that has been developed and the on-street hire bikes, how important cycling has become to the resort. Blackpool was selected as a Cycle Town by Cycling England in late 2008.

Since then, rapid progress has been made to deliver on a huge range of schemes including establishing cycling as a mainstream transport for one and five mile trips and making it available to visitors.

Councillor Fred Jackson, cabinet member for transport at Blackpool Council, told the Gazette: "Our residents have said for a long time they want to see improved transport facilities. We want to make sure we can develop methods for getting around town which don't rely on owning a car. This bid aims to secure the funding needed to make those improvements.

"I would like to think we can increase the use of alternative forms of transport significantly over the next few years by making them more attractive and easier to use."

He said that by tying together the cycle hire scheme and bus travel through a single travel card it would make the whole town accessible.

"Likewise we can help deliver a better travel experience for our visitors by creating initiatives such as park and ride systems, improving transport information and linking our attractions together by properly planned transport routes," he added.

"It may take a while to hear if we're successful but I remain hopeful and eager to get this plan under way."

The park-and-ride scheme would see the launch of an eco-friendly shuttle bus operating between car parks, the town centre and attractions at 15 minute intervals. Hopefully, the plan will come to fruition and will further boost tourism in Blackpool.