Former tram shelter in Clifton Drive, Ansdell, Lytham

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: 2 Sep 2012

Once a tramway closes, the evidence of its existence usually disappears fairly fast. However, this is an interesting survivor from the tramway which used to run from Lytham to Blackpool via St. Annes-on-Sea. In 1920 the tramway came into municipal ownership and in 1923 this shelter was built by John Heap & Sons of St. Annes, at the request of the recently formed Lytham St. Annes Borough Council. The shelter served tramway passengers until 1936 when the tramway between Lytham and St. Annes was closed. The remaining section to Blackpool lingered on until final closure on the 28th April 1937. An offer from Blackpool Council to purchase and run the system was turned down, although ironically many years later, in 1994, the bus operation was purchased by Blackpool Council, who continue to run services in Lytham St Annes today. According to the Fylde Bus Blog, the shelter was used by bus passengers after the tramway closure, until the mid-1990's, when road changes meant it became disused. It was restored by Fylde Borough Council and Lytham Civic Society in 2009, and today makes a pleasant shelter, although no longer used by bus passengers.

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