The plan to construct a "transport interchange, including tram and bus station, car park, bus parking facilities and bus refuelling and washing facilities at Ramsey" has been rejected.
The Council of Ministers met on 19th February 2015 to consider the recommendations of the Planning Inspector and determined to refuse the application.
Amongst the reasons for the refusal of the multi-million pound plan were that in the opinion of the Planning Inspector "the character and appearance of the [proposed bus maintenance] yard, including its unrelieved concrete surfacing and the parked buses and plant and equipment within it, this would produce an inappropriate visual context for the Railway, which would detract from its enjoyment by passengers and from the attractiveness of Ramsey town centre as a destination for tourists and other visitors."
"This would be contrary to Transport Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, which includes provisions that new development should not compromise the attraction of rail routes as tourism and leisure facilities. or their potential as public transport routes."
The scheme was first announced in Keys in February 2008 by then Minister Adrian Earnshaw. "The bus and rail facilities for the public would be shared and would be a substantial improvement on those at the MER station or, indeed, Ramsey Bus Garage." He added: "As currently envisaged, the proposed scheme would not impact upon MER operations but it would involve the replacement of the waiting room and ticket office" Mr Earnshaw said.
In the event the 'multi-storey' car park element of the early proposals was an early casualty of the scheme, and what emerged at the end of 2012 was described as "a joint terminus for the Manx Electric Railway and buses in Waterloo Road in Ramsey."
A leaflet was made available, showing 'visualisations' (shown here) of a "Ramsey Plaza Interchange", asking for feedback. The drawings featured amongst other things a bus and coach drop off, bus re-fuelling, a bus wash, and a greenhouse-like covered tram terminus featuring what looked like a San Francisco cable car - complementing the californian palm tree sited adjacent to the steel and glass structure.
In the months that followed, a lengthy list of consultants and others carried out flood, noise, air quality, congestion, safety, traffic flow, access assessments, considered the risk of explosion or fire from stored fuel, these and other concerns raised by people living near the proposed development. In the event it was the impact the completed scheme would have on the appearance of the area and the appeal of the Railway that prevailed.
The reasons given for the refusal were summarised in a letter to interested parties as:
1. The proposed creation a bus storage area, with associated bus wash, plant room, fuel storage tank and palisaded storage compound, to the east of Parsonage Road would not accord with the zoning as Land for Railway Purposes in the Ramsey Local Plan1998.
2. By creating a yard characterised by extensive hard-standing, parked vehicles and plant and equipment of an industrial character and utilitarian appearance in this prominent location, close to the town centre and overlooked by residential properties on Waterloo Road, the part of the proposed development to the east of Parsonage Road would be visually intrusive and would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.
3. The tracks of the Manx Electric Railway on the approach to the interchange would pass through the yard referred to in reason by virtue of the character and appearance of that yard, including its unrelieved concrete surfacing and the parked buses and plant and equipment within it, this would produce an inappropriate visual context for the Railway, which would detract from its enjoyment by passengers and from the attractiveness of Ramsey town centre as a destination for tourists and other visitors. This would be contrary to Transport Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, which includes provisions that new development should not compromise the attraction of rail routes as tourism and leisure facilities or their potential as public transport routes.
This latest decision contrasts starkly with approval given in September 2012 leading to the 'degeneration' works at Laxey MER station, and what is widely regarded as the despoilment of a sylvan haven largely unchanged for decades.
It also provides an interesting precedent for an up and coming Appeal about proposed alterations to Douglas IMR station, scheduled for 25th March...
Since the story broke, the following comments have been posted on the MERS Facebook Page:-
"Thank God this demented scheme has been derailed. Just think how the consultant's fees could have been better spent elsewhere. Does this mean that the 1899 vintage Car Shed has been reprieved? Hopefully those who devised the works planned for Ramsey and worse the destruction wreaked on Laxey will face a Nuremberg type trial for crimes against the Manx Electric Railway. The lone voice which is the MER Society can always be relied upon when the railway is under threat. Sadly some other so called support groups have been deafeningly silent during the Laxey & Ramsey Stations fiascos! "
"Round of applause for the planning inspector. "
"Glad that a stop has been put to this crackpot scheme"
"Hooray for the rejection. A very big shame the Laxey plans didn't get thrown out! I hope Douglas Rail Station doesn't get further decimated! "
"This scheme is nuts. It's a vintage tramway not Docklands Light Railway. "
"A vintage railway is just that, laxey is still to raw to discuss right now "
"Too late for Laxey but at least The madness stopped for now."
"AND WHY? Because some fool thought it appropriate for a tourist tram ride to enter Royal Ramsey through a BUS YARD.... Just like Douglas Steam Railway Station... And they spent thousands of pounds of public money designing this monstrosity and preparing these plans which involved cutting back the line from Ramsey tram station (so it could be developed by guess who?) and so their wonderful architect could design what you see above, a wholly tasteful setting for the end of a vintage tram route. Thank goodness the planning inspector had common sense. They probably wont ask him back... "
"HOOORRRAAAY! " " Thank god, this scheme must be one of the most ill thought out proposals ever to have included a heritage railway. Lets hope that this is the end of these unbelievable schemes on the Island,( though sadly i doubt it) it will be interesting to see what happens about the scheme for Douglas IMR at the appeal on the 25th of next month.Sadly as has been stated below its too late for Laxey - that disgraceful scheme will leave a very bad taste and paint the Islands railways in a very bad light ."
We would like to hear your views. If you have any comments or further information on this story, please email the Manx Electric Railway Society at [email protected]