The fate of the Douglas Horse Tramway is likely to be sealed at this month's sitting of Tynwald which is due to commence tomorrow (Tuesday 17th January). On Sunday 15th January, the MERS contacted members of Tynwald and other interested parties, urging them to “listen to the people” when it comes to making a decision on the future of the priceless and unique Douglas Horse Tramway. The letter is reproduced in full below:-
Dear
Sir/Madam,
PLEASE
READ THIS IS IMPORTANT:
David
ASHFORD MHK:
"The
claim has also been made, Mr President, that there is a £750,000
saving to be made by not laying the tracks from the Villa to the Sea
Terminal. Again, I hope the Minister will be able to explain how that
is broken down, since recommendation (vi) still has a tram
corridor set up for future extension. I believe from previous answers
given in this Hon. Court, that the track has already been purchased.
The only way I can get to the £750,000 saving is if you
are excluding the track. Maybe, eventually, the Minister will be
able to clarify that. Without including the track, I just cannot see
where that £750,000 comes from."
Tynwald
Hansard December 13th 2016
Hon
Ray Hamer MHK: "The
saving that he is talking about is £750,000, which is the track
itself. It
is actually the price of the track."
Tynwald
Hansard December 13th 2016
We
believe track exists to relay DOUBLE TRACK the full length of the
prom. Here it is in a yard on South Quay Douglas. (see
photo attachment). It can only be in the DoI yard because it has been
purchased by Mr Harmer's own Department for this purpose.
Once
again we ask you to:
- Listen to the people - MORE THAN 1370 more comments attached in addition to the 2353 we sent you in December.
- VOTE to keep the Horse Tramway the Full Length of the Prom - keeping it in the centre has ZERO impact on car parking.
- Avoid an unnecessary planning battle which, like the walkway, will drag on for years.
- Save the Stables - the Stables are in good condition and capable of instant re-use. (The adjoining Tramway Terrace can be sold or repaired)
- Do a deal with the Corporation to lease or buy the stables before January 20th - a deadline set by the Corporation for offers.
- Save the Depot - our information is we know it CAN be repaired.
NOTE: The
cost of stables and making good the depot more than outweighs loss of
the Summerland site value.
Remember
some of the other DoI projects we mentioned in an email last week? Is
it not to PREVENT outcomes like these that brought you into politics
in the first place?
The
Horse Tramway has survived intact for 140-years, through bankruptcy,
two world wars and the reigns of six monarchs. Tomorrow it faces its
gravest threat.