Trams pulled by horses shuttle back and forth along the town’s promenade, while the Manx Electric Railway takes visitors north towards Ramsey and a steam railway heads south to Port Erin.The island is proud of its transport heritage but not stuck in the past.

 

Plans are in place to test autonomous vehicles on a former airfield in the north of the island and the Government is keen to encourage the use of electric cars. Transport smartcards and contactless payment are in use by many public transport passengers. A trial of demand responsive travel is being taking place where people living in outlying Isle of Man communities can request a service to come to their doors. The island aims to become a leader in active travel through promoting cycling and walking.

 

Horse trams that have been a feature of the Douglas promenade since 1876 and will remain. Part of their route will be realigned onto a footway reducing the chance of collision with motor vehicles and providing a better view of the sea for passengers. “Infrastructure is important to the island and our work to redevelop the promenade will help to transform Douglas,” says the Minister. “We are also looking to extend our facilities for cruise ships and may bring the electric railway closer into the town.”

 

Jeffrey Robinson, Highways Director, Department of Infrastructure says the island has developed an autonomous driving code of practice and stands ready to work with manufacturers of self driving vehicles to test their technology in rural areas. “If we are going to see level five autonomous vehicles, they are going to have to cope with places like the Isle of Man,” he explains. “In half an hour you can go from a windswept, foggy, sea environment through to the top of a mountain in sunshine and on to narrow roads with dappled sunlight and no white lines. Within a very small footprint we have a huge variety of roads, climate and altitude.”

 

In the immediate future the Isle of Man is focusing on promoting pure electric – rather than hybrid – vehicles. Minister Harmer says the island is the perfect place to deploy them widely. Motorists on the small landmass are unlikely to have too many concerns over range anxiety.

 

The Minister is keen for the island to develop active travel ambitions. “We are looking to become the first active travel nation in the world. People should be able to use a car when they want to enjoy a drive through the mountains. They can choose to walk, cycle and use buses at other times.”

 

Tim Cowin, Head of Highway and Asset Management, is taking the lead on active travel. “Congestion and air quality are not our biggest problems, but we have the same public health issues as the UK,” he says. “We hope our focus on active travel will encourage people to incorporate daily exercise into their daily routine and influence those with a sedentary lifestyle.”

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has been appointed to work with the Isle of Man on two work strands: Promoting walking and cycling within a 2.5 mile radius of Douglas and liaising with island schools to encourage pupils to travel actively with the aim of encouraging parents to follow suit.

 

Hard infrastructure is being introduced including cycle lanes linking Douglas with housing and industrial estates plus bicycle storage facilities. Other initiatives will include working with employers to help staff purchase electric bicycles.

 

Key initiatives include local people are being asked to take part in a national travel survey so that the island’s Government can help direct investments. The island is looking to develop an Intelligent Transport Systems strategy to improve traffic flows; is developing a new road safety strategy and updating highway design guidance for developers.

 

Improving road condition is a priority. “There are 698 miles of carriageway on the island, which is very high for the population we have,” says Minister Harmer. “People arriving from the UK constantly tell me they cannot believe how good our roads are. We are pushing forwards this year to get work done within 24 hours and carrying out proactive maintenance. We have high expectations.”