Tynwald has backed the latest push to get the horse trams back to the Sea Terminal.
Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of an amendment supporting the reinstatement of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway to the Sea Terminal, with the House of Keys voting 21-0 and the Legislative Council 5-1 in favour.
The project is expected to cost less than the £3m figure quoted and would see a single line built along the remainder of the promenade to the Sea Terminal, creating a passing point at the war memorial.
Stu Peters, who presented the business case in the absence of Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall, said: “The horse trams on Douglas Prom have been an important part of our island’s heritage and identity for more than a century.”
Before the promenade works, the tramway carried up to 80,000 passengers a year. With reinstatement and cruise ship marketing, the business case estimates passenger numbers could exceed 100,000 annually.
Years and Years
Sarah Maltby, who proposed the successful amendment, said: “Every month or every year we postpone a decision, that increases the likelihood that the eventual cost will be higher, not lower.”
David Ashford noted the length of the debate, which goes back almost two administrations, saying: “Nine years debating horse trams. It’s starting to get up there with Manx Radio reports, local government reform and budget reform.”
A funding motion is expected to return to Tynwald in July.