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Tram campaign in Lottery hitch
A LOTTERY bid to restore one of Blackpool's favourite trams has been stopped in its tracks.
Blackpool Transport has withdrawn its application for cash to renovate the Western Train illuminated tram following advice from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
But bosses insist it is a temporary stop and not the end of the line for the project.
Bryan Lindop, customer services manager at Blackpool Transport, said he was disappointed with the delay but insisted the dream had not been derailed.
A total of 290,000 is needed restore the famous steam train-shaped tram to its former glory.
Mr Lindop said: "We have had to withdraw the bid because of technical difficulties, but we will be resubmitting it as soon as we have ironed out some problems highlighted by the Lottery board.
"The Lottery has expressed some concerns with the way the funding is being requested.
"Because we are a commercial organisation and we will be carrying out the renovation work ourself they have to be sure there is no conflict of interest.
"They have to be very careful about who they give funding to, we understand that. We are confident that it is a case of not yet rather than a no to our bid."
Lottery officials will meet Blackpool Transport chiefs later this month to discuss the problems and it is hoped a revised bid will be submitted within the next few months.
The Gazette launched its Back on Track campaign petition in May to help Blackpool Transport get the public support it needs to bring the ailing engine back to its best.
The tram, a stalwart of the Illuminations, has been off the rails for nearly five years and is gathering dust in a transport shed, riddled with dry rot.
Built in 1962, the wood-framed engine was only ever intended to be used for a couple of seasons.
But it proved such a crowd pleaser it lasted until 1999 when it was eventually forced into retirement.
Although Blackpool Transport has the skilled workers ready and able to carry out the painstaking renovation, the company cannot afford to fund the work without the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
With public support for the bid a crucial key to its success, hundreds of readers pledged their support through coupons and signing petitions.
A successful bid would preserve the historic machine for future generations and it would also play host to a permanent exhibition of the tramway and the Illuminations.
It is hoped it could be ready to be unveiled for the summer of 2007.
rebecca.smith2@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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