Tynwald has unanimously backed a motion requiring the DoI to bring a funding request for the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway extension in May.
Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby, who moved the original motion calling for an April deadline, told members the issue had captured public attention like few others.
“This is a straightforward motion asking for something simple: clarity, transparency and a conclusion,” she said.
Mrs Maltby highlighted a video by advocate Charles Guard that had reached more than 85,000 views and said schoolchildren had spoken about the trams at a recent Rotary Club competition.
“The students spoke about the risk of becoming so absorbed in the digital world, in screens and technology and what is coming next, that we fail to look up and recognise what is already in front of us,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Mrs Maltby warned against further delay. “After years of delay, the public quite rightly and reasonably expect clarity and a conclusion,” she said.
Treasury Minister’s ‘Doubting Thomas’ reference
Mr Thomas, who previously served as Infrastructure Minister, but is now the Treasury Minister, used the debate to clarify that no business case for the tramway extension had reached his department.
“The first myth that I want to not allow to start, despite some passing comments today,” he said. “Treasury has not received a business case for the horse trams.”
In a lighter moment, Mr Thomas referenced his reputation for scepticism, telling the court: “Look, I used to have the name Doubting Thomas, but the horse trams were put together by another guy called Thomas, Thomas Lightfoot.
“This Thomas is Thomas fleet of foot and I can get things done and I will get things done for the horse trams in honour of Thomas Lightfoot.”
Thomas Lightfoot established the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway in 1876.
Minister’s commitment
Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall confirmed the department would meet on Friday and hoped to submit the business case “in the next few days”.
The motion as amended was carried unanimously in both the House of Keys and the Legislative Council, with 24 votes in favour in the Keys and eight in the Legislative Council.