“Positive outcome” as Tynwald gives green light for detailed tramway reinstatement plans

Sarah Maltby’s motion unanimously approved, with detailed proposals due in May 2026

The future of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway has been back in the spotlight in Tynwald, with members unanimously backing a move to bring forward detailed plans to restore the full length of the line.

But while the vote was unanimous, the debate around the tramway itself is far from settled.

The Department of Infrastructure will now be required to return to Tynwald with a full business case, funding request and implementation plan for reinstating the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway along the entire promenade.

The proposals are due to brought forward in May.

But critically, the vote does not mean the project itself has been approved.

Instead, it means members want to see the detail first - how it would work, how much it might cost, and how it would be delivered.

The horse trams are one of the Isle of Man’s most recognisable attractions.

First running in 1876, they’re widely regarded as the last remaining original horse-drawn tramway of their kind anywhere in the world.

Alongside the Manx Electric Railway and the Steam Railway, they form a key part of the Island’s Victorian transport heritage.

This year, they’re marking a major milestone - their 150^th anniversary.

But despite that history, the tramway has become one of the Island’s most debated infrastructure projects, largely because at the moment, it doesn’t run its full historic route.

Originally, the line stretched around 1.6 miles from Derby Castle to the Sea Terminal.

Today, it stops short at Broadway, which had led to it being dubbed by some as the ‘halfway horse tramway’.

The southern section of the track was removed from the project during the redevelopment of Douglas Promenade.

Since then, the question of when it’ll be completed has remained unresolved.

Supporters of reinstating the full route argue the tramway is a unique global asset, and a key part of the Island’s tourism offering.

Figures given by historian Charles Guard suggested a significant drop in passenger numbers since the tramway stopped running to the Sea Terminal.

Similarly, for cruise passengers, the lack of a direct connection has been highlighted as a particular issue.

Against that backdrop, the Department of Infrastructure says it will now bring forward a full business case.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall told Tynwald more detail is on its way:

The motion was brought forward by Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby.

She told Phil Gawne her aim is to finally move the issue forward:

There have already been several attempts to progress the reinstatement in recent years.

On more than one occasion, Tynwald has agreed in principle to extend the tramway back to the Sea Terminal.

However, the line has never been completed.

The DOI has previously confirmed that the full route won’t be ready in time for the tramway’s 150^th anniversary in August.

Even if funding is approved, work is unlikely to begin until the winter.

So, while the vote was unanimous – the bigger decision still lies ahead.

In May, Tynwald will be asked to consider the full business case.

And only then will members decide whether the Island should - quite literally - go the full distance.