CARRIAGES have been returned to Saltburn Tramway as restoration work continues.

The historic tramway has been closed for repairs and renovation work to ensure it can be enjoyed by holiday-makers for generations to come.

The anticipated re-opening has been delayed due to severe weather earlier in the year and and to enable additional engineering works to be carried out which are designed to ensure future disruption is kept to a minimum.

Councillor Carl Quartermain, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and communications, said: “The tramway is one of our most popular attractions and it is great to see the carriages returned.

"A lot of people have worked extremely hard to make sure this gets done right so it can be enjoyed for years to come.”

Refurbishment work, costing more than £500,000, is being completed in a sympathetic way that remains true to its heritage.

Components from the time Britain’s oldest water balanced tramway was first built have been found and restored whenever possible, including original cast iron fittings.

Damaged parts – particularly a number of cast iron fittings such as wedges, rollers, baseplates and axle boxes – were melted down and recast in the original style.

No date has been set for the tramway reopening.