Plans to link south west Douglas to the town centre with a footpath and cycleway could be advanced after the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Ritchie McNicholl JP and Council Leader Councillor David Christian JP met with Island benefactor Mr Albert Gubay. The Island resident, businessman and philanthropist has offered to fund the construction of a bridge over the River Douglas on land at his property at Nunnery Mills that will connect the North Quay, Lake Road and proposed route through the Quay West development on Bridge Road with the riverside pathway running alongside the Nunnery estate and Douglas golf course out to Kewaigue. The proposal came after Mr Gubay invited Councillor Christian and the Mayor to his Santon home earlier this year. Councillor Christian explained: ‘Mr Gubay’s offer was totally unexpected. His Worship and I were talking about the regeneration of Douglas town centre and the North Quay. We then moved on to discuss community projects, such as the “Cafe” River scheme from Pulrose to Kewaigue, that had upgraded the riverside footpaths and the conversation turned to the absence of a footbridge linking the pathways to the town centre. It was at this point - and totally “out of the blue” - that Mr Gubay said he would be willing to build such a bridge on his land at Nunnery Mills, subject to planning approval. ‘The Mayor and I were overwhelmed at the spontaneous generosity of Mr Gubay who, since our meeting, has arranged for his architects to draw up a design scheme that incorporates not only a bridge but also steps with a central cycle trough that lead on to the Old Castletown Road. ‘Since last summer much admirable volunteer work has been achieved to upgrade the riverside pathways. While the Council has long recognised the value of a bridge that would form not only a link with the town centre but also with the Heritage Trail to Peel, these challenging economic times dictate that our budgeting processes focus solely on the essential rather than the desirable. We are therefore delighted that Mr Gubay should share our vision for a creating a safe, “green” and traffic-free route that will encourage more people to walk or cycle into the town centre, a scheme that will be of particular benefit to those in areas such as Anagh Coar, Pulrose and Farmhill.’ Douglas Development Partnership, which has devised a series of heritage trails around the town, also welcomed Mr Gubay’s offer. Development Manager Chris Pycroft said it was a ‘fantastic opportunity to create a scenic off-road route into the town centre.’ Councillor Christian continued: ‘His Worship and I were also subsequently delighted to learn that a Papal Knighthood had been bestowed on Mr Gubay in recognition of his service to the Catholic Church and society. His generosity to the people of the Isle of Man is similarly legendary. This scheme will be welcomed wholeheartedly by the local community and also, it is to be hoped, by the planning authorities.’ - Ends -