Tomorrow (Tuesday 13th December 2016) Tynwald prepares to vote on Ray Harmer’s Department of Infrastructure £23M promenade resurfacing scheme, which includes a proposal to truncate the iconic Horse Tramway. Today the MERS has sent letters and emails to our elected representatives (reproduced below) and an unprecedented attachment containing signatures of no fewer than 2,368 respondents containing 1,341 comments from people who signed the MERS petitions opposing the DoI proposals. The comments can be viewed HERE.
"Tomorrow you will be asked to approve a recommendation to truncate the Horse Tramway. Such a move will have unknown consequences for BOTH the Horse tramway and the Electric Railway.
This motion is premature since at the very least an impact study on the economic impact on both the Horse Tramway AND the MER is required.
In addition a vote to close the Loch Prom Section will lead to an almighty planning battle. Such an outcome will be contrary to the desire to achieve a quick and cost-effective resolution to the promenade. This should be seen in the light of the findings and conclusions contained in the report by the Independent Inspector into the Promenade walkway debacle.
A solution to all this is simple. An amendment similar to that proposed by Mr Malarkey in July, which might see item ii amended to read: "The twin tracks between the SeaTerminal and Summerhill are to be renewed in the current location". This would allow items v and vi to be removed completely, as in the light of the change suggested to recommendation ii - they become unnecessary.
The option to retain the track in the centre of the road has no effect at all on car parking and with the parking argument taken out of the equation, tomorrow’s proposal to close 1/3 of the tramway has, as far as we can tell, no support other than from a small handful of DoI civil servants - and their Minister.
Today we have sent to you by email the views of no fewer than 2,368 people who signed the MERS petitions opposing the DoI proposal to truncate the tramway, the proposal to apply for change use of the stables and sell them off, and the consequent proposal to carry out works at the Strathallan Car shed to install new stables.
Amongst these are 1,341 comments - many from your constituents, a former Highways Chief, and many many more offering an alternative opinion to that given in the recent presentation given by the DoI which you may have attended.
We urge you to find time to look at these heartfelt pleas from ordinary people with nothing to gain but the retention of a Manx icon.
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Society journal, covering some of the events of recent times presided over by former DoI Minister Phil Gawne. The Editorial makes the point that Mr Gawne was rejected at the polls by his constituents. The plan to shorten the Horse Tramway is his legacy to you. The MER Society was founded in 1973, has over 700 members and on their behalf campaigns to retain all Island tramways at reasonable cost to government.
At no time in 140 years has the termination of the Horse Tramway as is now proposed ever been considered. It is patently absurd to cut it short of the main source of passengers. The Horse Tramway has survived intact through bankruptcy, two world wars and the reigns of six monarchs.
Tomorrow it faces its gravest threat.
We urge you to listen to the Island; oppose this proposal."
MERS Committee