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Mr D C Cretney
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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.
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