THE Manx public is being given the opportunity to comment on the two latest regeneration projects to be completed in Douglas as part of the government’s overall programme of updating the Island’s towns.
The two projects - Upper Nelson Street and Prospect Hill, both in Douglas - have recently been completed and the Department of Infrastructure is keen to hear from the Manx public what they think about the improvements.
The Upper Nelson Street pilot scheme involved paving works at a cost within budget of £290,000, which included the street lighting element funded by Douglas Corporation and which was installed last week. The majority of funding has come from the Government Regeneration Fund.
A second regeneration scheme on Prospect Hill, which started in mid?September, was completed on November 4 at a total cost of £95,000, including £35,000 highway maintenance works.
These works were completed two weeks behind schedule because the Buck’s Road bound carriageway was in very poor condition and the opportunity was taken to reconstruct this while the regeneration works were in progress.
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney said, “The close co-operation of staff within the Department and Douglas Corporation ensured that works commenced on the ground within five months of receiving approval to develop a bespoke, modern, high-quality public realm design which would act as the prototype for the regeneration of Douglas town centre.
“The materials used to construct this scheme are high quality natural stone paving and marine grade galvanised steel to provide a long term durable finish, which will ensure that these visual amenity benefits can be enjoyed for many years to come”.
The design concept and the Manx tartan palette of colours were developed from feedback received by Douglas Development Partnership to their public consultation which was undertaken in August 2010.
Upper Nelson Street was chosen as the first regeneration scheme because it is located on the periphery of the Douglas town centre on a busy pedestrian route from the Shaw’s Brow car park and the office accommodation in the vicinity of Circular Road and Athol Street.
The pilot scheme allows the public to provide feedback on the regeneration design before the next phase of works in February 2012. A statement issued this morning said, “In addition, the Department and its partners have taken the opportunity afforded by the pilot scheme to fine-tune the design, choice of materials and construction practices which will improve both the quality and speed of construction when carrying out regeneration works in Lower Nelson Street, Wellington Street, Duke Street and Strand Street in future phases.”
The Prospect Hill regeneration scheme is designed to improve pedestrian accessibility and “established a visible gateway to notify vehicle drivers they are entering Douglas town centre”. In addition to the road maintenance works, the Department has taken the opportunity to fund an improved surface water drainage system, reduce the number of road signs and install underground infrastructure to provide future capacity for utility providers.
Douglas Corporation have supplemented the regeneration scheme with off-the-shelf street lighting products which are being used for the first time in the British Isles.
The next approved phase of the Douglas regeneration works will take place in Lower Nelson Street in April 2012. The Department is currently working on the development of designs for Duke Street (between Victoria Street and Regent Street) and Wellington Street.
The development of the Wellington Street scheme is “progressing well” according to the Department. Subject to successful consultation with adjacent property owners and tenants, the Department says it may be possible to commence work at this location in February 2012.
