THE MAJORITY of people want to see investment in improving Douglas promenade - but the big question is certain to be: where will the money come from?

A government survey saw 452 give a response and 77% said they wanted to see more investment on subjects such as carriageway strengthening and reconstruction, with associated issues such as the positioning of the horse tram tracks, footways and cycleways. 

Some suggested moving the horse trams to one side of the road (64%) and 79% suggested a single track.

Most people in the survey said they wanted car parking spaces to be retained or increased, but 57% that the overall appearance of the promenade was not of a high enough standard.

"I am delighted that so many people chose to engage with this consultation and share their views,” said Department of Infrastructure minister Phil Gawne. "I am very pleased that clear priorities emerged and that there is a viable way forward.

He said detailed plans will now be drawn up for the project for which £10 million has been allocated by Tynwald. However, the work is unlikely to start before the House of Keys general election - and a new house will then be asked to approve the expenditure.

Based on the massive controversy over spending an estimated £10 million+ to save the Queen’s Pier - and the political debate about spending large sums of money at a time of economic decline - the issue of regenerating Douglas promenade looks certain to become a major bone of contention.

If it goes ahead, it's expected such an undertaking would take several years to complete.