The refurbishment of Douglas Promenade provides a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' to create a world-class gateway to the Isle of Man.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK says that plans are being progressed to put in place a scheme the Isle of Man can be proud of.
The intention is to deliver urgently-needed improvements to the highway, footways and drainage, while also supporting the aspirations of the Douglas Masterplan.
Minister Gawne said:
'I asked for the original proposals to be put on hold last autumn to allow time to revisit the options. This represents an investment in the Isle of Man's infrastructure for the next 50 years and we must get it right. We need to be bold and innovative, taking into account modern thinking and design techniques. It is in all our interests to see a high-quality Promenade that reflects the Isle of Man's status as a top international business centre and leading tourist destination.'
He added:
'In my view there seems little point in spending millions of pounds repairing the Promenade to keep things just as they have been for the last 70 years. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a scheme that is exciting, inspiring and supports future economic growth. The proposals being drawn up by the project team will no doubt challenge people's traditional views, but I believe we must be brave and show some leadership and ambition.'
It is widely recognised that significant capital investment in Douglas Promenade is urgently needed, as the road continues to deteriorate, with the surface becoming uneven, patched and badly cracked. It has reached the end of its useful life, both as a highway and from an aesthetic viewpoint.
The revised plans to refurbish the stretch of Promenade from the Bottleneck car park to Strathallan are currently being finalised, with a view to presenting them to Tynwald Members, Douglas Borough Council, key stakeholder groups and members of the public towards the end of April.
Some of the design proposals being considered reflect the opinions of hoteliers, retailers and Manx residents who responded to a consultation and exhibition in October 2014. More than 3,000 people visited the display at the Sea Terminal, with almost 800 feedback leaflets being submitted to the Department of Infrastructure on a range of issues, including the location of the horse tram tracks, parking provision, landscaping and sea defences.
Minister Gawne said:
'The public discussions have highlighted that the Promenade serves many people in many different ways. It is a prime gateway to the Isle of Man, a busy commuter route for motorists, a tourist attraction, a commercial and entertainment zone, a parking area and an amenity for walkers, joggers and cyclists.
'We want to promote the shared use of the Promenade in a way that will benefit all users. To achieve this we must be prepared to think outside the box and create a vibrant, living Promenade that will serve the Island's needs for generations to come.'
The design proposals will be made public later this month and, subject to Tynwald and planning approval, the five-year capital project could get under way in November.
