Newsbot Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 The Manx Tourism minister says "something must happen" to a vacant bus station site. Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/...man/6610057.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderer Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 The Manx Tourism minister says "something must happen" to a vacant bus station site. Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/...man/6610057.stm So why does a Government Minister have to go public to say 'something must happen' and that the worst possible option is to do nothing regarding the bus station site? It hardly fills us with confidence about the Government's strategy for the centre of Douglas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copycat Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 but nothing will happen 'cos there is no financial sanction agaisnt the developer if it does nothing. If there was something like "develope in 5 years from initial planning coinsent or pay £250,000 late develeopment fee for every year you want the planning in principal extended" then there might be something happening - otherwise forget it - go back to sleep. Mr Tourism Minister - there will be no development before the next election unless there is some more financial incentives more capital grants and write offs are needed - the taxpayer has to pay for seeing something done and your the man to make it happen (or not). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojomonkey Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 I know its probably a bit of a maverick suggestion but why not build a bus station on the site? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copycat Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 why don't the Govt sell the site back to Douglas Corpy for 50p the Douglas Corpy can sell it to a property developer for some financial wizardry that means the ratepayers don't see any reduction in thier rates and a developer gets to profit from the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 I know its probably a bit of a maverick suggestion but why not build a bus station on the site? If they are serious about reducing congestion and pollution by getting some cars off the road etc. this is the only sensible option. In other countries this concept is often referred to as 'investing in public transport'. One of the best ways to keep people off the buses is to make them wait for one at a freezing cold half-protected bus shelter (with slanted seats so you can't sit down - especially if you are elderly), and with no-one around to give any advice or information or offer any sense of security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallybug Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 And then move the ticket office from beside said shelters to down at the Sea Terminal, so that you will miss the first bus after work as you can no longer stop on the way to get your new Manx 12 ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 And then move the ticket office from beside said shelters to down at the Sea Terminal, so that you will miss the first bus after work as you can no longer stop on the way to get your new Manx 12 ticket. Now then we don't want anything that would be logical and convenient for the travelling public. You'll be wanting the Deprtment of Transport to run the buses next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 The Manx Tourism minister says "something must happen" to a vacant bus station site. Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/...man/6610057.stm So why does a Government Minister have to go public to say 'something must happen' and that the worst possible option is to do nothing regarding the bus station site? It hardly fills us with confidence about the Government's strategy for the centre of Douglas... Didn't the last Prince of Wales say 'Something must be done!' when he visited the South Wales coal mines and saw the unemployed miners. He gained great prestige for that utterance-an early soundbite. Maybe Mr Earnshaw is hoping to do the same thing. David Cretney used to say it at regular intervals when he was in Tourism and they sold off the bus station site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iom_cb Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 they could just incorporate a bus station into the sea terminal ... it has all the facilities such as seats and a shop, food, toilets etc. is not far from the existing site (it could still pick up there) and would be much more welcoming to visitors to have the buses available from just off the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moghrey Mie Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 they could just incorporate a bus station into the sea terminal ... it has all the facilities such as seats and a shop, food, toilets etc. is not far from the existing site (it could still pick up there) and would be much more welcoming to visitors to have the buses available from just off the boat. They might even have some maps to show where the buses go. It could be the beginning of an integrated transport system but don't hold your breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcCann Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 That Sea Terminal suggestion makes good sense. There's no way you'll get a job in the civil service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilf_uk Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I like the sea terminal idea as well. I'd also like to see a realistic timetable for the MER. Why does the first one leave at 9.30 and the last one leave at 16.45? And we are funding this to the tune of how much per year? I think it's a shame that we have 3 forms of 'tourist' transport (MER, Steam Trains and the Horsetrams) yet you struggle to get a bus to take you anywhere. With the tourism industry declining it is time to reduce funding to these out of date modes on transport and invest in something useful for the people that live and work here 52 weeks a year. Like a tram that leaves ramsey, can travel a bit faster than the old rickity ones they have, continues along the prom and lone behold, connects with the sea terminal and douglas. Even better still, one that continues round and along north quay to the train station, connects to the railway, and takes you to the airport. I bet it'd cost a LOT less than the 40 million quid they are going to spend at the airport in the hope that easyjet or ryan air will fly people to Paris (lyon) or Glasgow (prestwick). Or, we could just turn outselves into a Giant living Beamish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.