Historian challenges Tynwald to complete long-promised horse tram reinstatement

150th anniversary year intensifies pressure over unfinished Douglas promenade extension

A renewed political dispute has emerged over the future of Douglas’s horse trams, after historian Charles Guard publicly challenged Tynwald to complete the long-promised reinstatement of the line along the full length of the promenade.

The trams – formally known as the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway – first began operating in 1876 and are widely regarded as the last surviving original horse-drawn tram service in the world.

Alongside the Manx Electric Railway and the Isle of Man Steam Railway, they form part of the Island’s distinctive Victorian transport heritage.

In 2017, funding was approved to relay the track from Derby Castle to the Sea Terminal. However, the service was only reinstated as far as Broadway – leading to the nickname “The Halfway Horse Tram”.

In a video released over the weekend, Mr Guard says nine years on from the original commitment, “absolutely nothing has happened”.

He describes the truncated line as a “withered stump” and argues that repeated votes in Tynwald supporting reinstatement have not been followed through.

He questions why parliament had not held the executive to account more firmly, referencing the powers available to ministers under the Government Departments Act 1987. Furthermore, he contrasted the delay with major capital projects in recent years, including the purchase of the Steam Packet Company and investment in new maritime infrastructure, like the Manxman and Liverpool ferry terminal.

Mr Guard claims passenger numbers of around 78,000 annually when the trams ran the full length of the promenade, but believes that figure stands around 45,000 today, and stresses this year’s 150^th anniversary should have been an opportunity to showcase the line internationally.

Responding to the video, Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby insists she shares the frustration over the delay and maintains she has consistently supported reinstatement.

She pointed to comments she made before her election in 2015, when she described the trams as an important part of Manx heritage and tourism.

Mrs Maltby claims that shortly after being appointed to the Department for Enterprise with responsibility for Visit Isle of Man in July 2024, she agreed the extension needed to happen “as soon as possible”.

While she acknowledges any Tynwald member could have brought a new motion on the issue, she says repeated assurances that a business case was forthcoming led to believe parliamentary action was not required.

“I really hope the DOI can make good on their recent promises”, adding that the matter has become a “national embarrassment”, while urging the Council of Ministers to resolve it.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall previously confirmed to Manx Radio in 2024 that money originally allocated to the project had been used elsewhere under a previous administration.

Manx Radio has approached the Department of Infrastructure for comment.