A proposal to sell-off the horse tram stables and relocate them to a refurbished depot at Strathallan has been approved.
At a meeting of the full council last week, Douglas councillors pledged their commitment to continuing the historic Bay Tramway.
But major changes are proposed as part of the government’s multi-million pound promenades refurbishment project.
The Department of Infrastructure expects it will be a year before further detailed plans for future phases of the promenades refurbishment are submitted to Tynwald.
But it is proposed the tramway is made single track with passing places and relocated to the seaward side of the highway. Provision will also be made for the electrical infrastracture to allow the possibility of the MER in future being extended from its current terminus at Derby Castle to Harris Promenade.
Councillors heard that the condition of the Strathallan building - the base for the horse tramcars and with conference facilities above - had been of increasing concern in recent years. This, coupled with only modest income from the Strathallan Suite, had meant the use of the building, and the need to invest to bring it to an acceptable standard, had become a more imminent priority.
Councillors voted to accept a proposal from the borough’s executive committee that a scheme was drawn up to examine the feasibility of combining the stables and tram operation the Strathallan site. If this proves possible, then the historic Tramways Terrace stables site could be disposed of - which would provide funding towards the refurbishment of the Strathallan building.
It was noted: ‘As these possible building works, the possible disposal of Tramway Terrace, and the future operation of the horse tram service were all linked, it was suggested working up how the Strathallan site might be developed was a critical starting point.’
The council voted to approve the executive committee’s resolution to work in partnership with the Department of Infrastructure over the Promenades redevelopment and relocation of the horse tramway and seek to maximise potential for the upgrading of the electrical infrastructure along the seafront.
Capital funding to develop the Strathallan site will be included in the Council’s 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 capital programmes.