Rob Edward CALLISTER MHK
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Mr Callister: Thank you, Mr President, and I again thank the Minister for his comprehensive report.
The report did highlight that this refurbishment of Douglas Promenade has been discussed on numerous occasions since 2008. Therefore, we must grasp the nettle once and for all and put in place the foundations to develop the Douglas Promenade in order to really kick start the redevelopment of our capital, which is long overdue.
From reviewing all the relevant information, there appear to be two major hurdles that have continually stood in the way of this project: the horse trams and parking. Personally, Mr President, if all options are on the table here today without creating additional delays, I would have certainly supported a single track on the seaward side running the full length of the Promenade with a number of passing points along the way – a single track that could take both horse trams and the Manx Electric Railway cars along the full Promenade.
It would have certainly been the safest option and the best option in my opinion, but I must acknowledge that this option would have generated further delays, a reduction in parking and additional planning hurdles to overcome, and I will certainly not support any motion that delays the project any further. Therefore, I have to put my own personal opinions and feelings to one side and look seriously at the options available here today and the motion being moved by the Minister for the Department of Infrastructure. For that reason, I have to support the Minister who is asking for the twin tracks running between Broadway and Summerland to be replaced and for the roadways and the drainage to be fully reconstructed.
These works must be done in partnership with all Island utility companies in order to ensure that we are not digging up the Promenade again within six months of any works being completed.
That said, the Minister and his Department, in my personal opinion, have failed to provide sufficient evidence for me as an individual Member to request the tracks to stop at the Villa Marina and the Gaiety Theatre and I fully support my hon. colleague from Douglas North, Mr Ashford. Yes, I can see the benefit of looking at the full redevelopment of the Villa and the Gaiety as a tourist hub, but I certainly do not believe that our visitors or cruise passengers in the future will walk from the Sea Terminal to the Gaiety Theatre simply to get a horse tram or a Manx Electric Railway car.
Unfortunately, again as my hon. colleague from Douglas North has already highlighted, the Minister has failed to convince me of where the £750,000 potential savings will be made by terminating the tramway just after Broadway.
I genuinely believe that running the Manx Electric Railway cars down the full length of the Promenade is the viable solution, and for horse trams in the future to have a reduced timetable possibly to coincide with the cruise ship schedule to visit our shores.
Therefore, I will be supporting the amendment tabled by my colleague for Douglas North, Mr Ashford.
Thank you, Mr President.
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