In a shock announcement Douglas Borough Council have revealed that the Douglas Horse Tramway is to close with immediate effect due to \u201cthe increased financial burden on Douglas ratepayers\u201d. The project to merge the horse stables and tramway depot into one building seems to have been the final straw which caused the decision with Councillors deciding it was not a viable idea.<\/p>\n
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A special meeting of the Council was held on Thursday 21st January where the decision was made with \u201cregret\u201d (with obviously no consideration taken towards the history and tourism). There had been no indication in the lead up to this meeting that this decision was on the way coming hot on the heels of the sold out Santa Specials in December and with preparations underway to celebrate the 140th anniversary in August.<\/p>\n
The key factors in the final decision were the continued year on year deficit \u2013 currently running at \u00a3263,000 \u2013 coupled with the associated loan charge equating to an annual impact on the rates of over \u00a3420,000. In addition the decision made by the Council last year to merge the Tramway Terrace stables site with the tramway hub at the Strathallan site has added to the financial burden. This scheme was expected to cost \u00a32.9 million (with the Council having to finance the scheme by a thirty year loan which would cost \u00a34.8 million over its life) and members of the Executive and Regeneration and Community Committees decided in December not to proceed with the project as it was \u201cnot financially viable\u201d and there were still \u201ca number of unresolved issues\u201d.<\/p>\n
Cllr David Christian MBE JP, Leader of Douglas Borough Council, justified the Council\u2019s decision like this: \u201cThe Council must always act in the best interests of the ratepayers of Douglas. To continue operating the horse tram service would place an unacceptable level of burden on the ratepayer, not only for the coming financial year, but also for the foreseeable future. The Council recognises the important contribution the service has made to the Island\u2019s vintage transport heritage but Douglas, as with all local authorities, is having to make difficult decisions to fund, protect and develop key services. The Council has a duty to face and adapt to stark financial realities, to maintain a firm grip on its finances and deliver value for money to the ratepayer. Were the Council to continue operating the horse tram service it would be failing in that duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr John Skinner, Regeneration and Community Chairman, added: \u201cI should like to take this opportunity to thank the tramway staff for their hard work and long-standing commitment to the service, also to the many local residents and visitors who have supported the horse tram service over the years. The Council recognises the affection in which the horse tram service is held, both in the island and around the world, but these are difficult times that demand rigorous examination of expenditure, current and future. Against this background the horse tram service is, regrettably, no longer sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the decision now made the Council will look to relocate the horses who have maintained the service to good homes whilst the trams themselves will be offered to transport museums either on the Isle of Man or in the UK. Unfortunately with the number of trams still at Strathallan and the number of transport museums likely to be interested (bearing in mind the gauge of the Douglas Horse Tramway) the stark reality of this is that some of the trams may end up being scrapped. The stables and depot will also be offered for sale.<\/p>\n
With the news coming as a shock to supporters of the Douglas Horse Tramway and tram enthusiasts in general there has been little reaction so far but Manx National Heritage have released a statement expressing their disappointment. The statement reads: \u201cManx National Heritage is extremely disappointed at today\u2019s announcement from Douglas Corporation regarding the closure of the Isle of Man\u2019s iconic Horse Trams. The announcement is contrary to reassurances Manx National Heritage has previously received from Douglas Corporation. The Isle of Man\u2019s historic transport network is an important part of the Isle of Man\u2019s Visitor Economy and part of our unique offering as a visitor destination. It is disappointing that Douglas Corporation are not seeing the opportunities presented by the Isle of Man\u2019s new Destination Management Plan developed in partnership with public and private sectors, especially given that in recent years, leisure tourism here has seen double digit growth. In particular major UK travel companies such as Great Rail Journeys have started to bring substantial numbers of groups to the Island. Indeed we are preparing to welcome organised parties to the Island early in March this year, lengthening the season and helping to sustain local businesses in Douglas. From a conservation perspective the best way to preserve historic rolling stock is to maintain it in operation in a sustainable way rather than transferring the costs of upkeep of a static object to a museum or group of volunteers. These historic vehicles were designed to move. Manx National Heritage fully recognises that difficult financial conditions require bold and innovative solutions. We remain keen to work with Douglas Corporation and other key stakeholders to find a solution for the benefit of the Island and all those supported by our visitor economy\u201d.<\/p>\n
A petition has also been set-up against the decision and this can be signed by visiting http:\/\/www.gopetition.com\/petitions\/support-for-the-retention-of-the-douglas-bay-horse-tramway.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sadly as things stand at the moment Douglas Borough Council have put an end to 139 years of history seemingly without investigating ways to save money (perhaps they should have taken a trip over the Irish Sea to Blackpool to see how volunteers can help cut costs in operating a heritage tram service?) In 2016 the only chance you will have to ride on a horse tram in the British Isles looks set to be on special operating days at the Crich Tramway Village.<\/p>\n * As more reaction is received we will update British Trams Online<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a shock announcement Douglas Borough Council have revealed that the Douglas Horse Tramway is to close with immediate effect due to \u201cthe increased financial burden on Douglas ratepayers\u201d. The project to merge the horse stables and tramway depot into … Continue reading