Construction

[vc_custom_heading text=”Construction” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The Preston GUILD tramway will be professionally designed by engineering and architectural teams. Consultations are on going with relevant stakeholders like the local highway and planning authorities, hospital, utility companies, UCLAN, Network Rail etc.

Eric Wright, a local Civil Engineering company has signed a memorandum of co-operation, and will draw up a work programme in agreement with the highway authority. This will minimise the disruption of traffic and the economic life of businesses along the tram route. A contract has been signed to raise the £25million pounds needed, and initial funding should be available early in 2019.

The tram tracks in the street will use the LR55 “glue in the road” system, which has been in service since 1996 on the Sheffield tramway, without the need for any maintenance. LR55 tracks have a shallow depth of construction (8in / 200mm), and needs only 5% of the material dug out compared to other track systems. Each rail is separate, and can be laid one at a time, without closing roads.

Off Street, “grass tracks” will be used together with an improved footpath and cycleway, and new landscaping to make the GUILD Tramway green in more ways than one.