Volunteers trying to re-open the historic Shipley Glen Tramway have revealed essential repair work has been delayed by the severe winter.

The team behind the tramway had hoped it would be up and running for Easter, after it missed the popular Santa Specials tram rides at Christmas, but have now said the engineering work could take another couple of months.

The tramway, which dates back to 1895, closed in late 2008 for repair work and two new tramcars. Trustees provided £17,000 from tramway funds and a further £10,000 came from Bradford Council.

Trustees chairman Councillor Dale Smith said work scheduled over the winter had been affected by the heavy snow and freezing conditions.

He said: “We have been delayed because of the weather.

“We had to lay quite a large block of concrete, a three-ton block of concrete, to secure the anchorage, which we obviously couldn’t do with all the snow and frost.

“We have now completed that work, so we have got some work to follow on with the haulage system, which is probably going to take another couple of months.

“We are still working to re-open, obviously we are anxious to re-open, but we can’t do that until we have got the system thoroughly up and running.”

In December, Councillor Smith said the tramway would not be re-opened in time for Christmas as further funds were needed.

He has now said finance continues to be an issue and the trustees were now deciding how to appeal for further funds as the tramway was losing income while it remains closed.

He said: “We are always open to donations or volunteers to help and get involved to secure the solid future of the tramway.

“It’s like a piece of string, because the more work we do, the more we find we have got to do and that has been one of the challenging factors – since 1895 it has been up and running almost continually and we have come to the stage where there’s been a significant amount of work to do.

“We are tackling it as quickly as we possibly can.”

Councillor Smith said the team was disappointed the tramway remained closed during Easter, but volunteers were working hard to re-open as soon as possible.

He said: “We still get numerous inquiries from across the country from people wanting to visit the tramway – it’s a very positive tourist attraction, but obviously it’s not good that it’s shut. We are in a cleft stick, we are doing the best we can to open as soon as we can.

“There’s a few very passionate people involved who are determined to re-open as quickly as we possibly can.”

Anyone who can offer support should contact 07801 669680 or e-mail info@glentramway.co.uk.