Morning blog

Inspector says its a better venue!

What lies ahead

A few extra attendees.

Aim to finish between 5 to 6 pm.

Douglas Corporation first

then planning control

then highway services division

Manx National Heritage will attend this afternoon.

Part 2 of the agenda.

Tramway will be just a checklist given what has already been covered.

Risk assessment.

4 separate risk assessment.

ML advised that Mrs Bridson would be attending at some stage.

ML asked if the inspector would allow him to seek clarification at an early stage re public open space. The inspector said that he would deal with it when he questions Mr Bulmer.

Douglas corporation case has begun

Full flood risk assessment not necessary but applicant should make one.

DOI HAVE NOT DONE FULL FLOOD RISK

DoI trying to blame it on planning office.

3 statements submitted

Inspector summarising submissions before they speak.

Council committed with expenditure for stables.

140th anniversary in 2016

Inspector asking for clarification.

what is a typical operation?

Mid-May to Mid-September; 9 am and 6 pm.

23 return journeys

2 trams at a time.

Are passing places adequate?

One full place and two sidings. yes.

Will be permanently restricted with new arrangement.

Discussions about width of promenade required for tracks.

Maria Bridson has arrived and I have given up my table at the front to allow her to take a seat. I've moved to the back where I can recharge my batteries although its hard to hear.

Inspector questioning the new experience.

Better views. Relaunch. Good marketing.

Asking questions about bye-laws and horses. Same as dogs?

Explaining animal nappies!

Mr Hannay claims that horse manure is not cleared after last tram.

Corporation will review systems.

Mrs Churcher - how long does waste stand? Can't predict.

Will new signs and shelters be on route?

Not finalised plans yet.

Will walkway be cluttered? Inspector finds Douglas cluttered generally.

Its not trams but shelters and signs.

Where are they at with design? Sketch sign for signs. Not yet approval for funding!!

Design started in 2011.

When did they commission Pegasus? april 2015.

risk assessment not part of initial design.

Why so late? Deemed not changing.

Up till change Douglas thought it would remain in carriageway.

What happens to historic lighting?

Inspector noting removal of palm trees and may affect other trees in garden?

Any liaision with landscape architect?

Plants will  be relocated.

Must preserve or enhance a conservation area. How when trees being removed? Repeated that they will be moved.

Now speaking to Mr Crellin tramway supervisor for horses.

When was he first involved in move to walkway? 2014

Mr Crellin based at the stables which will move to terminus.

Has also been a driver. 70 years experience with Peter Cannon who is the operations supervisor.

4 drivers. Some are trained as drivers and conductors.

What about single carriageway on road?

Mr Cannon explaining that horses currently about 5 feet from cars in opposite direction.

Traffic may be confused without demarcation.

need curb on other side of trams or raised platforms.

Considering how much some of the consultants are paid I wish they would speak up. Can't hear the comments about width required.

Mr Butt asked about contraction. Yesterday it was horses couldn't cope. Today it is the cars. Inspector said he knew that, that is why he was asking the question.

Mr Cannon says tram will always stop if they see a danger ahead. Mr Cannon had accidents with two cars. Never had an accident with a pedestrian. Has seen cyclists fall off after getting tyre in track.

Questions:

Mr Hannay  - detailed letter in October 2014. Received no reply. Copied letter to counciller and town clerk. Letter copied to all council. Cannot submit letter because of his previous role as director of highways. Letter contained details of matters during his employment.

Minutes of meeting 14/11/14 - Mr Black and Mr Robinson were in attendance. Corporation "told" that if trams not on walkway they could not operate for 5 years. If located next to road then corpy would want parking on walkway. Was that why corporation changed mind?

Mrs Harrison cannot be expected to know minds of councillers.

Mrs Harrison - several other factors. Resolved in April to support scheme as now stands.

Mr Hannay re exhibition in October 2014 raised concerns about children running into tram. Plan to lower wall? Reply from DoI other plans to imprive visibility.

Mr Hannay - vehicles for gardens next to wall. How will they manage when trams there? Park further out or out of hours!

Mr Hannay - re funfair. Where will seating be in relation to funfair? TT service truncated during TT so experience of TT will be missed..

Mrs Harrison - funfair not certain indefinitely.

Mr Hannay - has observed 5 or 6 de-railments. If there was a derailment it would be more serious?

Mr Cannon - never experienced a tram de-railment travel very far.

Inspector asking Mr Cannon about difference of operating on walkway? Vision very good. Invited inspector to travel on tram. Main objector to get up and down promenade safely that won't change.

Inspector - no difference in risk? Mr Cannon - different risks will be factored in to operation.

Mr Quirk told not to repeat questions.

Mr quirk re queens gardens - duty to protect gardens. Is it servicing rate payers well by removing green space?

Mrs Harrison - may enhance Queens Gardens.

Mr quirk claiming the gardens are used for sport? Mrs Harrison doesn't believe use will diminish.

Mr Quirk - driving licence requirement. None.

Inspector says the risk assessment is not confidential

Mr Butt also wrote to corporation about their view on moving trams.

Mr churcher  re different operations. Fewer stops. Horse will be at same speed as now. Drivers will adjust to circumstances.

Mr Alistair Inving - Will dogs have an impact? Mr Cannon. No problems with dogs. If drivers have to act they will do so.

Re new tramline. New tramlines are suitable for MER or trams.

Mrs De Haven - stopping distance? Will be in risk assessment.

Mr Murphy - how do you define a hazard? Will tram always be stopping?

Mr Cannon - whole ethos is to be alert. Judgmental.

Mr Murphy made a statement.

Mrs Newton - tram stopping short of sea terminal. Mrs Harrison - will provide information at visitor centre.

Mrs Newton - how long will trams be out of action? Phase work so that tram tracks laid first.

Mrs Bridson - can't hear questions. Think they relate to shelters and extra equipment on walkway.

Mrs Bridson - trees and conservation area. Detrimental affect? Mrs Harrison repeating that trees will be relocated and may add extra plants to Queens Gardens.

Mrs Bridson - dogs allowed off lead on beach. Still have under control.

Discussion about dogs under effective control.

Inspector - will there be a change in bye-law for dogs? Not at moment.

Mrs Bridson - will horses be worried about dogs? No. Horses look at dogs and move on!

Questions about brakes. Front and back.

No warning system designed. Foot operated horn? But no decision.

Dealing with head on collision. Risk assessment mitigates this.

Inspector mentioned tokens for passing on single tracks.