The Douglas Horse Tramway has survived intact for 140-years, through bankruptcy, two world wars and the reigns of six monarchs.
January 2017 it now faces its gravest threat. For it to survive IT NEEDS YOUR HELP PLEASE BY:
- Using the links below to sign the petition and email politicians in the Manx Parliament
- Contributing to our CROWD FUND appeal to fight this in the courts in the event the politicians fail to support the tramway next week
Why? Because a move is now afoot which will dismantle the line; on January 17th Tynwald will vote again on new proposals to:
- to almost half the route by abandoning the critical Loch Prom section which links the Horse Tramway and the MER to the Sea Terminal
- to abandon the unique tram sheds and stables
Ray Harmer's Department of Infrastructure proposals will destroy the Horse Tramway utterly, leaving a rump fleet to venture forth from time to time from a steel box at one end of the promenade as a "novelty ride" along an over-engineered modern light railway, terminating in a new "Cultural Quarter" of doubtful taste.
The MERS believes what is needed is for Tynwald to throw out the current Department of Infrasturcture scheme. Instead DoI should return to Keys to:
- Retain of the Horse Tramway along the whole of Douglas Promenade - avoiding unnecessary expense and planning delays
- Spend money that is being asked for the construction of a modern ‘temporary stables and depot‘ on retention, repair and development as a tourist asset the existing historic stables and depot.
How you can help:
- Sign the New Petition which addresses the latest DoI proposals
- Contact your MHK (before January 17th) indicating your views regarding the horse tramway - and what should be done.
- Tell them what you think on the Tynwald u-turn which may see a decision to retain the Horse Tramway in full taken in July, promises made before the election in September, and the votes taken in December which means once again the future of the Loch Promenade section is in real peril
- Send your views to the planning committee regarding the ‘temporary’ stables
1. To fight planning applications which threaten the character of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway.
2. To engage in legal action in the Manx Courts (and beyond) to stop this horrible development.
3. (If we succeed) The balance of any funds raised through this site to be distributed for the restoration of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, its buildings and the trams that have run on it.
Only if we have the means to litigate this matter to the full will our opposition be taken seriously so please help us!
The following resources are available:
- Horse Tramway: What your Politicians said and how they voted… in July, at the Election and again in December
- Useful Addresses - includes email addresses of politicians
- The Cultural Quarter - how it will look
- Temporary Stables Proposals
- Planning Objection email Template
- MERS Press Release January 2017
The Tynwald Vote which is likely to be decisive takes place on January 17th. A deadline has been set for bids on the stables of January 20th.
Time is of the essence.
Thanking you in anticipation
MERS Committee