From Halfway to Wholeway?

Charles Guard, and many, many others, might be a bit happier after Keys this morning.

Work to finally restore the full Douglas Bay Horse Tramway could begin within 12 months, if Tynwald gives it the green light.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall told the House of Keys this morning that the business case is currently under review and, if approved, the project would take around 40 weeks to complete.

But don’t expect any diggers just yet.

Asked whether anything would happen before Tynwald debates it, the minister replied: ‘It’s a case of waiting.’

Questions were also raised about adverts promoting the ‘full journey’ despite the tram currently only running part of the promenade.

Mr Crookall said he had ‘no idea’ where the advert had come from.

He did confirm that some groundwork has already been done beneath the grass near the War Memorial to allow for a future extension, saying: ‘I believe there has been some preparation work done underneath that grass area that leads up towards the other end of the War Memorial.’

The debate comes after historian Charles Guard reignited the row with his recent ‘Horse Tram Rant’, branding the current line a ‘withered stump’ and urging Tynwald to finish what was promised.

So for now? The horses, and everyone else, are waiting. Like we have been for some time.