Tourism growth and decline- Blackpool

Blackpool improvements

A new tramway terminus will be built close to Blackpool North station

The Blackpool Council hoping to connect the current line to Blackpool North station as part of an £18.2m scheme . The Blackpool council will invest 4.7million to the extension of the tram lines and the government will pay the rest. There will be a link to the national rail network . Although the locals aren’t too happy as there will be a lot of traffic and there have been past accidents involving trams. No new tram lines have been laid in Blackpool since the 1920s and services have not run along Talbot Road since 1963.

I believe this will be effective because the trams are a great way to explore the city and the smaller shops can receive customers . As the tram is going through the town the tourists can see everything and this may cause them to go to some shops or come back in their own car. This will make Blackpool better connected and easier to get to , this means that more families will be willing to go there .

Club tycoon’s million pound plan for new Blackpool venue

“We are looking to be a little bit more high end, great music, big names, great service plush surroundings. “There is a lack of twin and triple scene venues at the moment, one destination offering two or three types of music .” . “The basement is going to be The Urban Lounge and have that city vibe with R&B and dancehall music but bringing it into the 21st Century . The Ground floor is to be called Home. It will be a city bar, similar to what you find in Spinning fields Manchester, very plush and classy, table service, booths with a relaxed atmosphere early in the evening.

Coastal Defence

Blackpool has a marine frontage of about 11.25 kilometres, all of which is protected from erosion by the sea wall, which needs constant maintenance.

Under the Coastal Protection Act the Council must ensure the stability of the sea walls and ensure their continuing maintenance, for which a detailed Coast Protection Strategy was adopted by the Council in 1995.Blackpool Council is nearing completion of a twenty year coastal defence strategy which seeks to rebuild those sections of defence most in need . £62 million of works have also been completed transforming the promenade between the Sandcastle Centre and North Pier, and a new 3.2 kilometre seawall has been built along the same stretch

Blackpool and Wyre Councils are working in partnership to improve and replace sea defences between Rossall Hospital and Rossall Point and from Kingsway to Little Bispham at Anchorsholme, protecting 12,000 properties from the risk of coastal flooding. Defra and the Environment Agency formally approved £86million of funding in October 2013 and construction began in April 2014. The huge programme of work is expected to be complete in 2016.

REVISION QUESTIONS

With reference to an example in the uk, explain the reasons for the growth of a resort as a tourist destination

(8 MARK EXAM QUESTION)

In the 1850’s , Blackpool was a small village by the sea with a population of 300. Today it is one of the most important seaside resort in the UK with over 8 million visitors per year. It grew initially because of the railway station which opened in 1846. People working in the manufacturing towns of the north of England were given one week’s holiday per year. They were able to easily book a holiday in Blackpool and travel there by train. The town’s people built piers which had dance halls and other entertainments. In 1880, the streets in Blackpool were given electric trout and people travelled to the town to see the illuminations . Today, Blackpool is important for people on shorter holidays and conferences .

With reference to an example in the UK, explain how the resort is managed so that it can maintain tourist numbers. (8 MARK EXAM QUESTION)

Blackpool is managed by the local council . They spend money on street cleaning so that the area is attractive. They have also provided trams to cut down on traffic congestion. The new park and ride schemes reduces car numbers. The beach is important to visitors so they have gained an EU Blue Flag which shows tourists that the bathing water is a good quality. They also provide life guards to keep tourists safe . The beach itself has to be protected from erosion. Therefore, the groynes and sea walls are looked after. They have also reduced the amount of sand that companies can take from the near by beaches. The problem for Blackpool is that it is often wet . People can easily fly to hot climates. Therefore, the council has encouraged companies to build indoor facilities such as the conference centres .

With reference to an example of a seaside resort in the uk, evaluate

recent plans to try to deal with the problem of stagnation and decline.

(8 MARK EXAM QUESTION)

Blackpool’s council keeps streets clear of litter and the town has an EU blue flag for keeping seawater clean for swimming. They also provide lifeguards to keep tourists safe so that the area is attractive. They have trams (and plan to spend £85m to improve the line to Fleetwood) and a new park and ride system to cut down on traffic congestion . The beach itself has to be protected from erosion so there a new project for reconstructing the damaged sea defences by replacing the sea wall and maintaining groynes. New Spanish steps leading down to the beach will help protect against erosion and give public better beach access. They have also reduced the amount of sand that companies can take from the nearby beaches. In 1994, the Pepsi Max Big One roller coaster opened – the tallest , fastest one in the world at the time. People can easily fly to hot climates so they are increasing attractions such as redeveloping Tower Festival headland as an open-air events space. In 2011 the Sands Venue is being redeveloped as a world-class restaurant with entertainment in order to raise the profile of Blackpool and attract higher income visitors. The illuminations have always extended the season into October and this is constantly updated with new displays such as 2009s Dr who section. Blackpool’s visitors dropped from 13 million in 1998 to 10 million in 2008 but by the end of 2009 they had 12 million and now families are staying for longer holidays. It still attracts large numbers of stag nights which is a negative factor.