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Where next for horse trams?

New DoI plan expected soon

As the 140th anniversary of the horse trams approaches, what the future holds for them remains uncertain.

The Department of Infrastructure's latest plans for Douglas promenade were pulled this week.

It didn't include the tram tracks, but assigned space into which they could be put at a later date.

The DoI now says it intends to submit a new plan, which will include the tracks as part of a Loch promenade redevelopment scheme.

The Department had intended to end the tracks at the Villa Marina - but South Douglas MHK Bill Malarkey last week convinced Tynwald to amend the scheme.

Under the revised proposal, the full length of the track through to the Sea Terminal would be retained.

In spite of the uncertainty, interest in the trams appears unaltered on day three of a busy Manx Heritage Transport Festival.

Highlights included an open day at the tramway stables, in addition to a bus tour of the Island’s closed railway lines and a lecture on the award winning Ballure Bridge restoration.

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