Users of three car parks in central Douglas will be benefiting from free evening parking from Monday.

The Department of Infrastructure which runs the sites said it is making the move to aid local businesses during the ongoing promenade regeneration work, however it comes after the DoI put prices up in its car parks by 20%.

The three car parks are Parade Street East (by the Steam Packet buildings), Parade Street West (Lord Street car park) and the Tongue Car Park which is access via the bridge linking the North and South Quays at the Tesco end of Douglas harbour.

A DoI spokesman said: ’The department is pleased to announce in supporting local residents and businesses during the promenade refurbishment scheme, that from Monday 24 June 2019 there will be a temporary suspension of overnight car parking charges between 6pm and 8.30am.’

The move comes as the DoI has come under heavy criticism for its decision making on car parking.

Earlier this week, we reported that David Christian, Leader of Douglas Council, had blamed the DoI for a fall in revenue in the council car parks, which it pays the DoI to operate, after the department established free parking on the sea side of the promenade while the work is carried out.

However, he did also question whether the council’s decision to introduce Sunday parking charges had also had an impact on the use of Chester Street car park in particular.

And then in Tynwald, the department was criticised by Tim Crookall MLC for upping its parking charges by 20% without notice.

The three car parks have seen increases to £3 for up to four hours and £5.50 for 24 hours.