Minister's apology over delay on Douglas bus plans
BBCThe Minister for Infrastructure, Tim Crookall, has apologised for delays in bringing forward a plan to improve bus shelters in Douglas.
The government plans to spend an estimated £735,000 on improving bus facilities at Victoria Street and the Bottleneck car park, near the ferry terminal.
Tynwald asked the Department of Infrastructure to improve bus passenger facilities in Lower Douglas back in 2023, and again in 2024. Neither deadline was met.
Speaking in Tynwald, Crookall said: "I apologise to Tynwald for the delay in bringing this work back to honourable members."
Why is there a delay?
Progress was held up by uncertainty over the development of the Lord Street site, next to the current bus stops, which is required to include a new bus terminal as part of its build, the minister said.
Proposals for the site were first brought forward in 2018, featuring a transport hub with bus shelters and a tourist information centre, but the Covid pandemic stalled progress.
Revised plans, again including bus passenger and driver facilities, were unveiled in May 2024 and earmarked for government support. Those plans were approved in March, but construction has not yet begun.
Crookall said it had "taken much longer than intended" because the department had to consider "a number of operationally complex options", along with taking into account "uncertain timetables for the Lord Street development".
What plans are being proposed?
Along Victoria Street, additional bus stands and shelters are to be provided at the existing stops.
The Bottleneck car park (near the Sea Terminal) is to see shelter improvements at the existing bus location, designed to also serve horse tram passengers once the tram extension reaches that point.
Both sites will get well-lit, sheltered seating areas, with Wi-Fi and real-time passenger information screens.
Members of the public were hoping for toilet facilities along Victoria Street, but these will not be available in the "interim plans".
Crookall said the department had to "assess safety and deliverability and take account of uncertain timetables for the Lord Street development and ensure that any proposal brought forward is both affordable and capable of being progressed through the normal financial and statutory approval processes".
Why are the plans labelled as 'interim?'
The government still expects a separate development that was approved earlier this year on Lord Street to eventually provide permanent bus facilities.
The 12-storey Lord Street development, has no confirmed start date, so this government plan is intended to improve things in the meantime.
The department said the redevelopment of the empty Lord Street car park behind the current bus stops remained its long-term solution for bus facilities in Douglas.
It added that the developer was contractually required to include a bus terminal as part of the scheme.
Lord Street Development SPV LimitedWhen will it happen?
No money has been set aside for the work on Lord Street yet.
The department plans to ask for funding as part of the 2027-28 budget process, and hopes to complete the work within that year if the money is approved.
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