PEDESTRIANISATION ALONG SECTION OF DOUGLAS NORTH QUAY TO BE TRIALLED

Business Isle of Man, an Executive Agency of the Department for Enterprise has announced a trial period to test pedestrianising a small section of North Quay in order to boost footfall and capacity for hospitality businesses during the summer period.

The project is being run in conjunction with the Department of Infrastructure and is supported by Douglas Borough Council.

The trial will see a portion of the North Quay area closed between 5:30pm and 11pm every day for a period of six weeks, starting Tuesday 18^th August until Wednesday 30^th September. The closure will prohibit motor vehicles on North Quay from the junction with Queen Street to the bottom of Market Hill. It will also include Ridgeway Street from James Street to North Quay, Chapel Row and New Bond Street for their entire length.

Minister for Enterprise, Laurence Skelly MHK, welcomed the plans:

‘Without doubt, our Tourism and Hospitality sectors have been most heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Department for Enterprise has provided extensive funding and support to the sector, however, we want to ensure that we continue to provide meaningful and innovative support that makes a tangible difference to businesses.

‘Many restaurants and cafes rely on additional outdoor seating to boost their bottom-line during the summer months, and this trial will allow us to measure the positive impact that creating more outdoor space will have on the Island’s outdoor dining culture.’

Provision for disabled parking remains, with only three spaces inaccessible during the closure but three permanent additions to be allocated on North Quay just west of the junction from Queen Street. No residential parking spaces are lost, and St Matthews Church will be allocated permits for funeral and wedding vehicles to access the area and turn. This is also detailed on the map here.

The Business Agency hosted a public meeting on 23^rd July 2020 to seek feedback on a proposal to pedestrianise the wider section from Quine’s corner to Barbary Coast. 45.9% of respondents voted for amends to the proposal, and 5.4% were in support of the proposal in its entirety. As a result, the proposed scheme was amended with the key changes including evening-only closure, reduction of the closure area in question, Market Hill to remain open and Chapel Row to be closed.