Just when you thought things couldn\u2019t get much worse for the future of the Douglas Horse Tramway a new plan is put forward by the Department of Infrastructure which will see the tracks ripped up between the Sea Terminal and Villa Marina permanently \u2013 regardless of any positive decision on the future of the historic tramway. The latest plan was announced by the Department following the rejection of the preferred option to redevelop Douglas Promenade which would have seen the horse trams consigned to a single track line on the Prom walkway.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As we have reported extensively on British Trams Online<\/em> the Isle of Man Government have had plans to redevelop Douglas Promenade for a number of years with continual changes in plan which eventually saw the latest proposal suggesting the horse trams should be moved out of the centre of the road and onto the Prom walkway. A single line would have been provided with passing loops and at this point it was planned the horse trams would continue to operate all the way from Strathallan to the Sea Terminal. These plans met with major objections as it would have resulted in the loss of a significant portion of the walkway and safety concerns were expressed but the Department of Infrastructure carried on with the plans. That was until an independent planning inspector recommended that the plans were rejected and that is exactly what happened this week when the Council of Ministers upheld the recommendation.<\/p>\n Unperturbed and still determined to progress with the highway refurbishment element of the scheme the Department of Infrastructure have announced they intend to submit an application as soon as possible which will improve the section of road between the Sea Terminal and Villa Marina Colonnade. But for fans of the Douglas Horse Tramway this is not good news and there will be no provision for horse tram tracks \u2013 either in the carriageway or on the Loch Promenade Walkway. So in other words 140 years of history will be wiped out just so the road can be resurfaced.<\/p>\n Of course the future of the Douglas Horse Tramway still remains unclear with no announcement made since the initial meeting of the working party formed in the aftermath of Douglas Borough Council\u2019s sudden decision to abandon the trams. There have been continual rumours that some sort of service may run in 2016 but with no official word the situation currently remains very bleak for the Douglas Horse Tramway. The press release announcing these latest redevelopment plans states: \u201cThe Department is currently in discussion with other interested parties about preserving the horse trams following Douglas Corporation\u2019s decision to end the service.\u201d<\/p>\n Even if there is a positive outlook and the horse trams do return they will seemingly only run between Strathallan and Villa Marina Colannade. If passenger numbers are apparently disappointing on the current line which runs past the town centre and to the Sea Terminal (as in somewhere people may actually want to go!) one dreads to think what the figures would be for a shortened line.<\/p>\n There may be a glimmer of hope for the future of some of the horse tramway though as the same press release does say that a separate planning application will be submitted to create a tram corridor from Strathallan Crescent to the War Memorial in the line with the Department\u2019s preferred location, but with amendments to resolve the concerns raised by the independent planning inspector. This may suggest that they are expecting the horse trams to be reprieved \u2013 but if they are someone needs to make an announcement soon!<\/p>\n Intriguingly the press release goes on to say that \u201cfurther consideration will be given to joining the new track to the Manx Electric Railway. This proposal, if taken forward, will be the subject of detailed assessment and become a project in its own right.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a saga that seems to be going on and on and on\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just when you thought things couldn\u2019t get much worse for the future of the Douglas Horse Tramway a new plan is put forward by the Department of Infrastructure which will see the tracks ripped up between the Sea Terminal and … Continue reading