“The enterprise minister says he’s ‘happy to support’ the case for reinstating the horse trams along the full length of Douglas Promenade.
Tim Johnston told Manx Radio it would help boost the Island’s tourism offering.
A business case to extend the tracks, from Broadway to the Sea Terminal, was due to be brought to Tynwald in May.
However, the deadline to put it on the Register of Business, by 21 April, has been missed.
It’s led to questions and concern from the public about whether or not Treasury will fund the work.
In March the former Department of Infrastructure minister said the business case would be 'an investment in guaranteeing our heritage infrastructure'.
Mr Johnston said he was happy to see the proposal put forward,”
His comments can be heard HERE and are also reproduced as follows:
"And obviously we had a debate recently in Tynwald in which I stood up and was very pleased to support. We're very pleased to see the plans coming forward for the reinstatement of the Horse Trams back to the Sea Terminal. From a department's point of view, clearly through Visit, we recognise the importance of our heritage rail system and clearly the Trams are a very integral part of that. So, we'd be delighted to see that happening. And certainly, from a from a DfE perspective, we will be happy to support in any way we can to sort of work on that, on the thinking of how that can be done and help support that.
One of the things I mentioned in the debate is we have our cruise ships coming in regularly now, which is great to see to the island. And being able to link cruise passengers at the Terminal, get them onto the Horse Trams, get them down onto the electric railway. I think that's a great thing. And that's something we'll be happy to help through Visit to support."