An independent enquiry into the temporary closure of the Manx Electric Railway between Laxey and Ramsey in early summer 2008 has accused the Isle of Man Government of huge under investment in the tramway between 1952 and 2000. The Department for Transport and Leisure (DTL) have also been attacked in the report for their decision to close the line on the basis of just one report when they should have consulted engineering staff on the tramway as well.
The independent inquiry was commissioned by Chief Minister Tony Brown and was written by retired civil servant Ken Tomlinson. In the report he says:
* the poor state of the track was down to a “chronic lack of investment” by government in the MER between 1957 and 2000. If investment had been carried out in line with professional advice during that period the track would have been maintained to a safe standard.
* Tourism Minister Adrian Earnshaw and senior civil servants should not have closed the northern section of the line in 2008 on the basis of one report. The tramway’s engineering staff should have been consulted or alternative options should have been assessed to allow a limited service to continue.
Source: Isle of Man Today