The Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure has now released an artist impression of where it proposes to relocate the Douglas Horse Tramway. As previously reported, the DOI has promoted a controversial scheme to move the Horse Tramway from its traditional centre of the promenade road location, to the current pedestrian walkway. Recently, white lines have been applied to the walkwalk in an effort to provide the general public with a rough idea of just where the relocated horse tramway will run. More information concerning the redevelopment of Douglas Promenade can be found on the DOI's website. http://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/infrastructure/.
Interestingly in this image, it is not only the horse tramway that has been relocated. In the background, either the Palace Hotel and Casino has been uprooted and moved to the Sea Terminal end of the Prom, or the former Grand Hotel (better known as the earstwhile Bushy's premises) and most of the south side of Victoria Street has been reconstructed on Queen's Promenade.
Elsewhere a vocal campaign "to keep cars and horse trams off the walkway" has been started. Its objectives are: "to retain Douglas promenade walkway for recreational use. We object to its use for car parking and horse trams. We are trying to represent the people of all ages and fitness who use the walkway for walking, running, jogging, cycling, the exercising of dogs and general relaxation." Objectors have until Friday June 26th to submit their views.
One of the campaign founders is Murray Lambden, son of the late W.T.Lambden, General Manager of the Isle of Man Railway Company 1965 - 77. The campaigners point out that the walkway is a mixed use public area, with people moving at different speeds, parents with prams, toddlers, young and old on bicycles, dog walkers, runners etc and all have different needs. They feel that there is a need to retain the large space currently provided by the promenade walkway and are against reducing the size of this area: "We are impartial on the plans for the promenade roadway and don't mind where the horse trams tracks are laid so long as they are not on the walkway or in the gardens."
Another view of the scheme was given on the front page of the Manx Independent on May 7th (BELOW) attempting to depict the same walkers and cyclists mixing with a curious looking horse tram. Doubtless less than satisfactory experiences of what actually happened last winter when the same area was given over to car parking, forcing pedestrians to dodge motorists more intent on finding a space, has influenced views on the likely success of these arrangements.
The 'horse tram' in the picture is actually adapted from an image contained on the Sketchup.com 3D Image Warehouse, and shows not a Douglas Horse tram but an electric tram from Słupsk in Poland. This has been shorn of its pantograph and mated to another image from the same library showing "a Roman cavalry mount standing about 14 hands (56 iinches) high at the withers".
Perhaps the answer lies in a technological solution to the Horse Trams, in the form of a 'mechanical horse' of the type depicted in Mann-Tram back in 1978. Updated to electric propulsion, and fitted with suitable sensors, air bags and other safety features, this has the potential - like the proposals above - to end up pleasing no-one...
Since publication of the article, the following comments have been posted on the MERS Facebook page.
"I think if the politicians force this badly thought out plan through (and they have the final descision, despite an outside planning inspector reporting) the first thing that will happen next year is that bicycles are banned from the prom as there patently won't be enough room for them, trams and pedestrians. This won't be too much of a problem as with a 20mph speed restriction in place they'll be able to keep up with the cars."
"A superb lampoon as predicted by AMG. These fools need to understand that it is the motor vehicles that ultimately will have to go... As the economy declines only tourism will be left... and Yet the idiots seek to reduce a tourist asset. The morons in their high speed "go faster" motors will be gone soon enough. If the Manx people listen to them now they will have wiped out an important asset which will keep 9at least a few) in spuds an herrin' after the cull. "
"I'm a coach driver who has the great pleasure of regularly visiting your beautiful island! I was under the impression that the moving of the horse tram lines was supposed to happen this year, luckily it hasn't! Without doubt Douglas prom is in bad need of resurfacing but leave the team lines alone! They work well and the holiday makers love them!!! But what do we know, let's hope they make the right decision. "
"I notice a few people are already moaning about having to share walkway space with the horse trams…"
MERS 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]