If you have been reading British Trams Online in recent years, the saga of the will it, won’t it get back to the Sea Terminal has been hovering around the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway for quite some time. The horse tramway we see today is only running from Derby Castle as far as Broadway after a previously agreed decision to re-build it through to the Sea Terminal (albeit on a new single track formation) was reversed due to budgetary constraints. But now an ancient right of the Manx people has been exercised to try and get Tynwald to adhere to their previous decision – whether it has the desired effect remains to be seen.
The Manx Government had authorised the construction of the full Horse Tramway through to the Sea Terminal on a new formation located on the sea side of the Promenade road on at least two occasions. But with the whole Douglas Prom reconstruction project beset by problems and budget overruns, in an attempt to save money this part of the project was put “on hold” with a promise that it would go back to Tynwald for a further vote in the future – in effect voting for something which has already been agreed on (its almost like you keep asking someone the same question until you actually get the answer you want!). Needless to say this latest vote has not yet happened and the horse tramway remains on its shortened route with no prospect of when it may be fully constructed again, if indeed it will.
With Tynwald being the oldest government in the world there are many ancient customs which can still be used and this was the case in early July. In culmination of its regular business Tynwald meets every 5th July on Tynwald Hill where new laws are promulgated. An ancient right of the Manx people is that individuals may present a Petition for Redress at the foot of Tynwald Hill. This is in effect appealing directly to the government to right a wrong.
On Wednesday 5th July 2023, Sara Goodwins presented a Petition of Redress which argued that as on 17th January 2017 Tynwald had decided by vote that the Horse Trams should continue to run the full length of the promenade it was unconstitutional that they do not do so and that Tynwald had been ignored.
The full petition stated: “Tynwald shall avoid setting the precedent of permitting unelected persons and/or individual Members to overturn or unreasonably delay any decision made by the democratically-elected government of the Isle of Man, by reinstating the Horse Tram to run along the whole length (i.e. from Derby Castle to the Sea Terminal) of the Promenades at Douglas.”
Whether this has any impact we shall see!
The Tynwald ceremony where the petition was raised.
Bobby leads 36 away from the current end of the truncated line. The Promenade curves off beyond the tram and that is where they used to continue to run as far as the Sea Terminal. (Both Photographs by George Hobbs)
For all those interested in this quite appalling story. It is very well worth while watching the second half of ” Welcome Back to The Isle of Man, Charles Guard Videos” on YouTube, a Manxman who clearly has a massive interest in all things heritage about Island! All MHK members should be forced to watch this!
Politicians anywhere in the world are experts, if nothing else, at convincing the general public to believe what they want to be believed. You see it, whether in matters such as armed conflicts or electioneering, over and over again. If Tynwald are determined that the trams will terminate at Broadway on a permanent basis, they will pull out all stops to sell the idea, pointing out that overall circumstances have changed radically since the original decision was made, and ‘demonstrating’ that other projects must take priority for funding in the ‘public’ interest. These could include community health and wellbeing issues, which always seem to attract the support of the general public.
Today The Chief Minister sacked the chap “in charge” of the DOI. Was he in charge or is it the so called Gate Keepers in The Civil Service? What effect is this likely to do to things? Probably nothing!