Mr D C Cretney
|
Mr Cretney: Thank you, Mr President.
I wish to place before Hon. Members an alternative. I was
aware that amendments may be getting moved today, but I
was not aware that the amendment would simply replace the
tracks in the position in which they have been
historically. I do not believe that is the right way
forward at all. (A Member: Hear, hear.)
My amendment, which I believe is being circulated to Hon.
Members now, will provide the Department with the
opportunity to come back with a properly thought-through
single track adjacent to the seaward-side pavement of the
Promenade. I do not believe 200 or 300 car parking spaces
would be lost if this were to be followed up because you
would not have the tram tracks in the middle of the road
and so parking could be arranged in an alternative manner
on the hotel side of the Promenade, as was one of the
original concepts in this whole thing. You could get more
cars in because you would not have the difficulties about
accessing and egressing such parking arrangements.
I also have to say, in my opinion, having the horse trams
in the existing position, replacing them in their
existing position, at this time in the 21st century is
not an acceptable pattern.
I believe we want to retain the horse trams. They are
iconic and I do believe that people value them very much.
I also accept the point that the Director of Public
Transport has made in the past about the possibility of
electric trams connecting up in a proper way right
along.
My amendment suggests a single track with either loops or
whatever mechanism the Department wants to come back with
all the way along the Promenade to the Sea Terminal,
rather than either Mr Ashford, the Hon. Member for
Douglas North’s amendment or the suggestion from the
Minister.
I do hope somebody will be prepared to second this, at
least to get it properly considered, because I do believe
it is feasible; I do believe you would not lose 200 or
300 car parking spaces and I think it would create
something of great interest for those who come to spend
time with us.
I move:
That item (ii) be replaced with the words: ‘A single line
with either passing places or loop is to be positioned on
the seaward side and is to be developed and brought to
Tynwald for approval when all other details are complete
and ready to be submitted for planning permission’ and
that item (vi) be removed….
...The President: In order to assist the debate, could I
ask Mr Cretney just to clarify for us
please?
Mr Cretney: You can, indeed, Mr President.
I think I indicated when I was speaking that I felt, in
terms of joined-up transport, that the Manx Electric
Railway terminus at Strathallan and then connecting to
the Sea Terminal made ultimate sense to me, and that is
what I was proposing. (Interjection)
The President: It is the whole length of the Promenade?
Mr Cretney: Yes, absolutely, Mr President.
The President: Thank you very much.
|