“The infrastructure minister has refuted suggestions that his department has abandoned plans to restore the horse tram tracks along Douglas Promenade.
The horse tram service doesn't currently run between Broadway and the Sea Terminal.
Tim Crookall was responding to a question from Rushen MHK Juan Watterson who asked if the Passenger Transport Act had been complied with regarding discontinuance of the section of track.
In response Mr Crookall said a tram corridor had been retained to allow its future re-instatement.”
The full answer to Mr Watterson's question is reproduced as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE
The Hon. Member of the House of Keys (Mr Watterson) to ask the Minister for Infrastructure
Whether Schedule 3 to the Isle of Man Passenger Transport Act 1982 has been complied with regarding discontinuance of the section of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway between Broadway and the Sea Terminal.
Question W-202401-1040 published on 28th March 2024; Answer received on 4th April 2024.
The Minister of Infrastructure (Minister Crookall):
Part I of Schedule 3 to the Isle of Man Passenger Transport Act 1982 (“the Act”) deals with the discontinuance of Railway Transport Services.It should be noted this includes tramway, by the virtue of the definition of “Railway” within section 30 of the Act which includes tramway.
Paragraph 1 of the Schedule 3 states that — “Notwithstanding any provision in this or any other Act (except section 6(6)), or any contractual or other obligation to the contrary, the Department may, subject to the provisions of this Part, terminate wholly or for specified periods a transport service provided on any railway line, or section of a railway line, owned or operated by the Department.”
The Department would like to clarify that the Department has not terminated the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway (DBHT) and it continues to operate on a seasonal basis. As such no termination of a transport service has occurred.
In terms of the section of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway between Broadway and the Sea Terminal, and the requirements of schedule 3, the Promenade refurbishment scheme which included the removal of the vast majority of the DBHT track, was well publicised. Tynwald approval was provided in 2017 for the removal of the tracks as part of the scheme. The Department has not abandoned the section referred to and has not requested a resolution for abandonment. Indeed, the Department has retained a tram corridor to allow future re instatement of the track.