Road, Rail, Sea and Air
“A call to replace one of the Manx Electric Railway’s twin lines with a cycleway and footpath has been dismissed as a non-starter. Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer rejected the suggestion on both financial and safety grounds. The proposal came from Middle MHK Bill Shimmins who asked the Minister:…
'Department of Infrastructure officers were told the promenade regeneration had to be finished by the next election, Tynwald has heard.' "The first report of the committee looking into the regeneration scheme was received at the October Tynwald sitting. Committee member Chris Robertshaw (Douglas Ea…
‘Infrastructure Minister dismisses calls to cut service to one track’ “Reducing the Manx Electric Railway to a single track operation would cut the service by two-thirds without reducing operating costs. That's according to the Infrastructure Minister, who was asked whether one track could be conve…
The application submitted to have the former Groudle Hotel removed from the Protected Buildings Register has been refused. However, the applicant (Anna Kawalek) has since lodged an appeal to this decision on the grounds that ‘we do not agree with the decision’. For more information concerning the f…
CUTTING THE LINES: 'THE BITCH THAT BORE HIM IS IN HEAT AGAIN' - Bertolt Brecht It began last week when Bill Shimmins, a rarely vocal MHK decided to criticise the “regrettable” decision to prioritise the running of the horse trams during the reconstruction of Douglas promenade. It will be recalled t…
Middle MHK Tables Question For The Keys “The Manx Electric Railway will be discussed when the House of Keys returns from its summer recess next week. Middle MHK Bill Shimmins wants to know what thought has been given to changing the railway to a single-track set up and then using the extra space to…
Bill Shimmins Brands The Service A 'Sacred Cow' “An MHK says he doesn’t understand why the horse trams ran along Douglas promenade this year. Bill Shimmins made the comments during a debate about ongoing refurbishment works along the capital’s seafront. The Middle member told the court the horse tr…
‘Douglas Promenade Works Expected To Be Completed In April 2021’ “The infrastructure minister has conceded that disruption caused by the ongoing refurbishment works along Douglas promenade was inevitable. Ray Harmer's department is now estimating the project will be completed in April 2021. He came…
‘Infrastructure Minister says revised plans needed’ “Spiralling costs has made the original plans for a substantial transport hub in Ramsey unfeasible. The concept was floated three years ago, centred on the tram and bus stations. Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper sought an update on progress at this month'…