The boss of Baildon's Shipley Glen Cable Tramway says there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the famous attraction following moves to restore trackside lighting.

Last week the Telegraph & Argus reported how Mike Leak had described the area's facilities as "lousy'' and said he might not renew his lease when it ran out in 2002 unless Bradford Council spent some money in the glen area.

Now Bradford Council has replaced the lighting that Mr Leak complained had not been working for years after being targeted by vandals.

Mr Leak said he hoped the move was a sign of things to come but added that he still wanted to meet Council officials to discuss the tramway's long-term future.

He said: "It's good news because it's an amenity restored for the general public and the lighting will hopefully curtail vandalism and make the path safer, encouraging more people to use it.

"I don't want to give up the tramway and am prepared to continue for as long as I'm physically able.

"But I still want to have a discussion with the Council about its long-term future and need some assurances that they're going to help the tramway because sooner or later it will need capital investment that's beyond my means.''

A Council spokesman said work to restore the lighting on the path between Prod Lane and Coach Road had been scheduled to be carried out anyway and had ''nothing to do'' with Mr Leak's comments in the T&A.

She said Council officers were available to talk to Mr Leak about his concerns and could offer advice on possible alternative sources of funding.

But she said as the tramway was leased to Mr Leak on a ''purely commercial'' basis the Council was unable to provide additional facilities or financial help.

Retired stores manager Mr Leak, 50, who with his wife Maureen has ploughed £16,000 into the attraction since taking it over in 1994, has said that with the tramway only breaking even it is likely to close for good if he does not renew his lease.

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