Manx Radio reports that today, Tynwald voted to approve £2.5 million in funding to restore the horse tramway track along Loch Promenade.
Under the scheme, a single-line track will be laid from the current terminus on Central Promenade, to where it should have been in the first place - the Sea Terminal. The track extension will be located on the sea side of the promenade along the so-called ‘tramway corridor’ located between the footpath and the wall of the sunken gardens.
LEFT: The current terminus on Central Promenade. RIGHT: Harris Promenade with the grassed so-called 'tramway corridor' visible on the right. The latter was installed circa 2020 as part of the overall Douglas Promenade reconstruction project.
Minister Tim Crookall said the motion would ensure the scheme was 'finally' delivered. He added the continuation of the tramway 'represents a sensible option' and warned doing nothing would risk damaging the island’s attractiveness as a heritage hotspot.
It will also mean passengers—of which there were 26,357 in 2024—from visiting cruise ships will also be able to board a horse tram upon disembarkation, without being expected to walk almost a mile down the prom as has been the case since the line was truncated.
Former minister Dr Michelle Haywood welcomed the move and said she hopes it 'ends the uncertainty' that has dogged the tramway for almost a decade, despite repeated Tynwald votes.
Mr Crookall said the funding only includes installation of the tram tracks - already purchased and in store on South Quay, Douglas, for years - plus new bespoke point work, and not shelters.The latter are the subject of a separate DoI bus station scheme and its associated budgets.
ABOVE:Rail earmarked for installation along Harris & Loch Promenades stored on South Quay in Douglas, June 2024.
Like the horse tram trackwork already in place following work carried out during the original promenade reconstruction scheme, Mr Crookall added that the extension would likewise allow oft-mooted ‘more modern trams’ to operate along Douglas promenades.
Despite today's vote, the reinstatement scheme will not start on site for 'at least six months’, it has been said. The delay is described as being required for 'off-site pre-construction work on structural and rail elements [points] needed for the project.’ Once actual construction has begun, it is said the project will take almost a year (40 weeks) to complete.
As a result it will be some time before we see trams back at the Sea Terminal, certainly not during 2026, the line’s 150th anniversary, not until some time after the upcoming Manx General Election which takes place in September, and probably not until at least the summer of 2028.
As with the initial vote last month, Gary Clueit MLC was the only person to vote against today's motion.
Pending the publication of the Official HANSARD, below is an unofficial DRAFT account of the debate, whilst a recording can be listened to HERE.
The President: That brings us then to item seven. I ask the Minister of Infrastructure if he's ready to move item seven at this point.
Mr Crookall: Mr President. I rise to bring the motion forward in my name that Tynwald approves an amount of up to £2.5 million for the Douglas Bay Horse Tram reinstatement, to be funded from a transfer from General Reserves to the capital fund from the Capital Financing Reserve, with £500,000 to be held by Treasury in capital contingencies.
Mr. President, members of Tynwald, I rise today to ask members support for the proposal before us to complete the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and finally deliver the scheme that this court has discussed, debated, and invested in over the many years.
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway is one of the Isle of Man's most recognisable and cherished heritage assets. It is not only an important part of our transport history, but also an internationally significant attraction that contributes to the identity of our island and supports our visitor economy. For generations, the Horse Tramway has formed part of the Douglas Promenade Experience. Some visitors travel from around the world to see and ride what is recognised as the oldest operating horse-drawn tramway in the world. It is a living piece of Manx heritage that attracts tourists, educates future generations, and promotes the Island internationally.
The proposal before Tynwald provides an opportunity to continue the Tramway in a manner that preserves its heritage and its contribution to the visitor economy. This proposal has undergone extensive review and scrutiny. Assessments have been undertaken of the engineering requirements, costs, risks, and benefits.
My conclusion is that completing the scheme represents a sensible option. To do nothing would not realise the trams’ full potential as a visitor attraction. Treasury's concurrence should provide assurance to members that this is not a vanity project. It is an investment in heritage, with the express aim of supporting and sustaining the critical mass of attractions needed for a heritage visitor economy.
This investment sends a positive message about the Isle of Man. It demonstrates that we value our heritage and that we understand the direct and indirect benefits that heritage tourism brings to our island.
The Horse Tramway, Mr. President, is an icon of Douglas, a symbol and a source of pride. This project will protect that for future generations.
Mr.President, this court has an opportunity to support tourism through this heritage investment. I therefore ask members to support this motion. Standing in my name. Thank you, Mr. President.
The President: Now, I just want to point out this hasn't had four weeks on the register of business. I wasn't sure if the Minister was going to speak to that, but I think he's given his opening remarks. Are members content to take that at this sitting? It hasn’t had four weeks.
Various: Agreed.
The President: Everyone's okay with that. Then I'll call on the Seconder. Ms. Faragher.
Ms.Faragher: Gura mie eu, Eaghtyrane. I’m delighted to second this motion. I also promise to be briefer than the journey this paper has taken to reach Tynwald. Members will each reach their own view on the business case. But for me, the question is straightforward. We have an internationally recognised heritage asset. We have already committed significant investment. Treasury has now concurred, and we have the opportunity to complete the project properly. And frankly, if we debate this in much longer, we may qualify as part of the heritage attraction ourselves.
The President: Doctor Hayward.
Dr Haywood: Thank you. Mr. President, I welcome this motion. I am pleased that funding is finally being put forward for approval. But it does need to be said that the Department and Treasury have had to be pushed to this point by this honourable court. During my time as Minister, I asked for the plans to be refreshed and costed so they could be brought forward for funding approval. But since the start of this administration, there have been numerous opportunities for this to be progressed which have not been taken up.
These delays are not in keeping with the clear direction that Tynwald has already given multiple times. This court is the decision-making body, and when Tynwald expresses a view, government should do its best to carry that out. If it cannot or will not, then it should be clear with Tynwald and come back to us and explain why it is not acceptable to allow matters to drift on.
So I absolutely welcome this motion today, but I sincerely hope it marks the end of the uncertainty.
There should never need to be another vote on this particular matter. Should the funding be approved today, I anticipate work will start immediately to source the remaining materials and to carry out any necessary procurement. In this, the 150th year of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, let this be the legacy that we hand on to the next generation, by restoring the extent of the Tramway to the Sea Terminal building. Gura mie eu.
The President: Mr. Hooper.
Mr Hooper: Thank you very much, Eaghtyrane. I just have a really straightforward question for the minister here. I'd just like to get confirmation for exactly what it is Tynwald is being asked to approve. The reason I asked that question is because in addition to the business case that was laid before Tynwald last month, we've also received various drawings and options and plans for passenger facilities around the Sea Terminal area. It seems a little bit odd that part of the Horse tram drawings to include passenger facilities in those drawings that, according to the statement that the minister, I'm assuming is going to make later, the information that was circulated shows different drawings and different layouts and different facilities.
So I'd just like some clarity really on exactly what it is we're being asked to approve this, this £3 million. Is it just for the track? Does that include passenger facilities or our passenger facilities on top of the £3 million expenditure? I think just some clarity on exactly what the minister is asking for would be appreciated.
Mr. President: Ms Edge.
Ms Edge: Thank you, Mr. President. Obviously I fully support this. Certainly it was only won by one vote back in 2017. I think it was when it came here. Um, and that was myself voting in the wrong direction for DoI at the time. But, and so I was pleased that we got that through at that point in time. However, with regards to keeping a contingency of £500,000, I'm wondering why that figure was, you know, how did that come about? I'm aware that the only mechanical equipment that apparently needs to be purchased is the point system and therefore the rest of the work is with regards to the laying of the track, etc. but I believe the foundation for the track is already there underneath the grass.
Certainly there will be engineers today saying no, no, no, we need to give more money out to the construction industry. But I do think a full assessment of that needs to take place.
My other question is, I do believe that we should have a tram track that is an access point to our island from the Sea Terminal. But we should be looking to the future, not just horse trams.
We should be looking to a tramway throughout Douglas Promenade. And can the Minister confirm that that will be the case? That there could be a modern tram on the track that we currently have? I believe it is the case, but I would like the Minister to confirm that. And certainly I want everybody to be able to come to the Isle of Man driving our horse tramway and not think they have to go to Disney World to drive a tramway. We need it on the island. It's our heritage. We need to protect it for all of our future generations.
Every child on the Isle of Man will be able to name a horse that they've been on a horse tram with, and I think that's really important. It's our culture, it's our heritage. It's a shame the cost has gone up significantly, but we do need to retain it for future generations. And also that visitor experience, which is significant to our island. Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President: For the mover to reply.
Mr Crookall: Thank you very much, Mr. President. And I thank my honourable seconder, Miss Faragher, a member of the department, but absolutely a firm supporter of this.
Doctor Hayward, the former minister, said this is a decision that Tynwald should absolutely be making. And hopefully we never have to make this decision again. We should have made some time ago. And she is quite right and hopefully we will get the right decision today and I thank her for her support.
Mr. Hooper asked about the drawings. This was queried the other day and unfortunately now that we've had … this reversal of item five and item seven, we haven't had a chance to discuss that. Those points have been clarified or can be clarified that there is no confusion if you like. They will work with each other, and we're only doing one set of buildings for one that will suit both. If you like.
Mr Hooper: Part of this funding?
Mr Crookall: No, I'm not going to come to that. No, the funding will be in the other one, not this one. So this is purely for the reinstatement of the tram tracks and doesn't include the shelters.
Contingency. Ms Edge asked about the contingency in Treasury hanging on to £500,000. I think that was just an agreement, because all of a sudden we saw the bill jump from 2 million to 3 million, and that was with the contingency put in by Treasury. And it was easy if they just look after that. I do not believe we'll need that and I don’t, and I hope that we won't need that.
And she mentioned the foundations in amongst the costing. There has been a lot of work done underneath where the grass, the grass areas are on the promenade now. They will need some foundations to go under there, but there has been a lot of work done there and the tram tracks. When she says for modern times, I'm not sure whether you mean the electric trams, because certainly the electric trams will be able to assure that they will be able to use the Horse tram tracks as and when this is completed, because they are the same width or gauge.
Mr. President, I do hope honourable members can get behind this scheme once and for all and that we can put that good news out there in the 150th anniversary of this, that we can finish this scheme or we can start this scheme this year as soon as possible and get it finished.
Mr. President: Let's give honourable members an opportunity to take their seats. And then I'll put the question that as item seven on the order paper. Those in favour, please say Aye… Against No
Division called.
The Speaker: Mr. President in the keys. 19 for none against.
Mr. President: In the Council. Eight for one against (Mr. Clueit). The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it.