The regeneration scheme linking Douglas town centre’s financial and retail sectors is continuing to take shape.
 
Work on Lower Nelson Street started at the end of April and involves the introduction of new paving, lighting and a dropped kerb to help pedestrians crossing Prospect Hill.
 
The project is being funded by the Isle of Man Town and Village Centre Regeneration Scheme and carried out by the Department of Infrastructure whose staff have been working hard to minimise the disruption to shops and customers.
 
Designers have also been liaising with owners and tenants to maintain access to shops and offices during opening hours. Improvements to access points to individual properties are being undertaken in the evenings or at weekends when the businesses are closed.
 
David Cretney, Minister for the Department of Infrastructure and Chairman of the Douglas Regeneration Committee, said: ‘I am delighted that the work on lower Nelson Street is on schedule and is making such a difference to the appearance of this particular part of Douglas. I wish to place on record my thanks for the understanding and patience of everybody affected whilst the work progresses.’
 
He added: ‘It will be a tremendous boost to the economy of Douglas to physically join up the financial and retail sectors with visually appealing, high-quality streets. I am very pleased with the skill and workmanship of everybody involved in this project.’
 
The next phase of regeneration will focus on improving pedestrian safety and access for delivery vehicles in Market Street, with work centred on the area around the rear of Marks and Spencer and Barclays.
 
This will involve the introduction of a temporary one-way traffic system from Monday evening, June 18. Vehicles will not be able to turn on to the M&S or Barclays car parks from Victoria Street and will instead gain access via the Church Road/Sefton end of Market Street.
 
A short section of the footway on Market Street will also be closed temporarily to improve pedestrian safety.
 
Linda McCauley, Regeneration Manager said: ‘We are aiming to regenerate not just the appearance of the streets but also the essential and complex infrastructure what lies below. The Department is working closely with service providers such as Manx Telecom, the Water and Sewerage Authority and the Manx Electricity Authority to make sure not only are the footpaths improved but also that the services underneath the ground are brought up to today’s standards. This will hopefully reduce the need for the service providers to undertake improvements in the future.’