The Department of Infrastructure says there are compelling reasons to support its proposal to move the horse tram tracks off the Douglas Promenade highway as part of the overall redevelopment scheme.

The Department has noted the response to a poll conducted by the Manx Independent asking readers to vote on what should happen to the horse trams.

Options to keep the horse trams on the highway, either in the centre or on the seaward side of the road, have been considered by the Department. They were amongst a number of designs to be discounted as they failed to meet the overall vision, objectives and safety guidelines for the Promenade refurbishment.

The Department will submit amended planning drawings this week incorporating a single horse tram track located almost entirely where the pavement currently runs adjacent to the road along Harris, Central and Queen’s Promenades. This will increase the area of the walkway by approximately 2,700 square metres, inclusive of the tram corridor.

The enhanced scheme will also include controlled pedestrian crossings to assist all vulnerable users, including blind and partially sighted people.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘The Department has assessed a vast range of redevelopment options and listened to feedback from the public, businesses and special interest groups. We believe our preferred design represents the best long-term solution to create an improved economic, cultural and social environment.’

He added: ‘People feel passionately about the horse trams, both for and against, and the location of the tracks has generated a lot of discussion. We have spoken to the operators of the horse trams about various issues and believe the trams can be safely operated in their proposed new location. This option will also enable us to minimise disruption to the horse tram service, to enhance pedestrian movements between the retail area and the Promenade, to improve the general appearance of the Promenade and maximise available on-street car parking.’

The option to retain the tram tracks in the middle of the highway would fall short of achieving many of the key objectives for the Promenade, including –

• Failing to address safety concerns regarding passengers boarding and exiting horse trams across a busy highway
• Failing to address traffic flow issues caused by vehicles getting stuck behind horse trams
• Restricting the opportunity to improve the layout of major junctions along the Promenade
• Failing to contribute to the Central Douglas Masterplan
• Missing the opportunity to create a Cultural Quarter and improve the walkway and footpaths
• Missing the opportunity to enhance the viability, vitality and appearance of the Promenade
• Current rail safety guidance requires a wider tram corridor than the existing arrangements. This would further restrict the available space to improve pedestrian footways and parking facilities
• The scheme would disrupt the horse tram service for up to 5 years during construction
Additionally, locating the horse trams on the seaward side of the highway would result in the loss of approximately 200 (37%) on-street parking spaces, which are used intensively by the public. The loss of convenient parking for customers would be detrimental to the retail and hospitality sectors of the economy.

Minister Gawne said: ‘The Department has taken on board people’s comments over many months and the strong message coming through now is that Douglas Promenade is in urgent need of redevelopment and we need to crack on and make this happen.’

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