At the launch event of the Fylde's new tramway in 2012, destinations such as 'North Station' and 'St Annes' were prominently displayed on the front of the new Flexity 2 trams, showing a sign of ambition and intention for things to come. Indeed, the very next day after the modern trams entered service the local press featured detailed insight into the proposed extension to North Station.

In the years following the upgrade, the new tramway has seen above-projected and consistent growth in passengers and revenue, undoing a period of decline lasting decades and perhaps even saving it from complete closure. The new service introduced excellent accessibility and award-winning user satisfaction, and is overall a shining example of modern public transport which complements recent investment in Blackpool's bus network.

Meanwhile, the heritage tram service has also been a huge success, ensuring an important piece of transport history is retained for future generations. In the background, plans were quietly progressed for the Talbot Road link until they were rapidly advanced over the last two years, culminating in the current construction period.

If all goes to plan, 2019 will mark the beginning of the second phase in the timeline of Blackpool's upgraded tramway. The extension to North Station is the first expansion of the system in over 90 years, and the first interchange with the national rail network in the modern era. It is an important first step which will undoubtedly unlock potential for further investment in connecting the Fylde Coast.

While there has been some well-documented and often understandable opposition to the upcoming extension, it is clear that the majority of local people and political figures, alongside national organisations such as the Light Rail Transit Association, strongly support linking the successful tramway to Lytham and St Anne's. Connecting the network to South Fylde is the logical next chapter in the 132-year old tramway’s history, and would provide countless benefits for locals, tourists and businesses.

Light rail would introduce a more frequent and reliable service that is desperately needed in the area, and provide fast, green connections to popular destinations, while also giving residents more stations near to their homes. Providing an alternative and effective transport link will also reduce congestion between Blackpool and St Anne's, an area which regularly suffers from traffic woes due to the limited road links between them.

The success and regeneration caused by the strategic visions of the nearby Manchester Metrolink should be a shining example of where the Fylde’s public transport ambitions should be pointed, and local decision makers must understand that light rail can generate increases in revenue across all sectors of the economy including tourism, business and social issues.

In 2015, a Lancashire County Council backed feasibility report was published which investigated enhancing the role of the underutilised South Fylde Line, what the most viable way of linking Blackpool Tramway might be and what benefits such a link might deliver. Trams to Lytham were involved in a stakeholder meeting during the process, and pushed heavily for tram-based solutions to be pursued.

However, the work undertaken, while containing some innovative plans, failed in completely addressing many of the transport concerns on the Fylde Coast. The document contained seemingly over-inflated costs for the suggested proposals, without providing a breakdown of such costs.

In addition, the report favoured doubling the railway service frequency by providing a passing loop, which Trams to Lytham believe would do very little to deliver passengers to areas of highest demand, and therefore not attract significant new patronage. It would not improve connectivity by providing more stops and better connection to key areas of Blackpool, unlike a fast, frequent and accessible light rail link.

Doubling frequency does not necessarily correlate to doubling patronage, especially without providing new transport corridors and stations on a line with poor connectivity. For example, the current Pleasure Beach Station necessitates passengers to journey up to 10 minutes to reach the attraction’s main entrance. In contrast, the tramway service conveniently calls directly opposite the main gates. The present Northern Rail fiasco only further highlights the risks of this option.

However, the importance of St Anne's and Lytham's links to the national rail network are paramount. Should the passing loop option be approved in an appropriate location alongside a pledge to invest in light rail in the future, it would not be opposed by Trams to Lytham. There is clearly an opportunity for a mutually-beneficial relationship between heavy and light rail provided a suitable masterplan is progressed.

Since the publication of the study, there has been very little news of investment on the South Fylde Line. To further exacerbate the situation, the overall relevance conclusions made in the study are becoming increasingly outdated. Since the study’s publication, annual passengers on the tramway have risen by over 25%, and new developments such as the Coastal Dunes housing scheme and the Enterprise Zone have been advanced. These factors will certainly improve the economic case for a new tramway extension.

All of this evidence points to the need for fresh and revised study work into this issue. For the past few months Trams to Lytham have been developing a detailed report outlining the our proposal and why it needs to be pursued further by the local authorities. It will include all evidence discussed (and lots more), as well as statements from influential people and petition signatures. We'll be sharing more about this in the coming weeks and months but as always don't hesitate to get in touch if you think you can assist us with this or any other issues.

Ever since the original Lytham St Anne’s Corporation tram link was removed in the 1930s, there have been generations of promises and proposals to restore this important link, most notably in the early 2000s. All of these efforts have, so far, been little more than words on paper. Councils and other decision makers can't keep ignoring the obvious need for transport investment that would bring huge benefits to the Fylde Coast. It is vital that the voices of all people who have shown support across the region are respected.

While the large amount of funding likely required to deliver this project is unlikely to be available for some time, there is very little reason not to continue development work on it. With the completion of the first extension looming it's now time to turn attention south. Trams to Lytham will almost certainly be a presence at the opening of the North Station extension, and we hope that by then there will be more news to share. It'd be great to have 'Lytham' put on a tram display board at the event, and a repeat of those ambitious newspaper headlines the following day.

We're determined for this to happen and will not give up on it, and with your help we can deliver a transport network that the Fylde Coast deserves. Let's keep pushing for the #lightrailrevolution !