Improvements for cyclists and pedestrians are top of the government’s plans for Douglas town centre.

The 15-year road map for the capital has been launched and includes replacing Pulrose Bridge, improving road surfaces and a ’long term aspiration’ for a new bridge to link Douglas’s north and south quays.

Published by the Department of Infrastructure, the plan aims to ’encourage and enable a sense of place in areas of the town by increasing and improving the size, area and quality of pedestrian friendly zones’.

The DoI said this will help increase the number of people choosing to actively travel around the capital, promote ’low-speed environments in appropriate locations’ and protect against flooding.

Plans for the North Quay are currently on hold as the DoI awaits the development of the Lord Street bus site. However, the DoI intends to make adaptations to make it easier for people to travel from the area to the town centre.

The most controversial part of the scheme would see the north and south quays linked by a new bridge as, according to the DoI, the existing bridges at 500m apart, are discouraging for active travel.

However, any bridge would likely need to be either much higher than either existing structure or be a swing bridge, unless the DoI intends to prohibit vessels with high masts entering the railway station end of the marina.

The proposed bridge is unlikely to be built soon as the DoI considers it a ’long-term aspiration’ rather than a short-term necessity.

Other improvements across the capital’s waterfronts include a new surface for the promenade walkway which, parts of which have been dug up or damaged by the sea in recent years.

This work will be carried out as part of the wider promenade regeneration scheme.

However, given the scheme is due to be fully completed at some point before spring 2023, it will likely be a few years before the walkway is finished.

A major part of the plan is for improvements to cycle routes throughout the capital.

The DoI has included in its plans a map for its proposed route between Douglas and Onchan.

That route would go up Prospect Hill and along Woodbourne Road to St Ninian’s before turning onto Glencrutchery Road and up to the Governor’s Bridge roundabout and into the village.

The DoI said: ’To encourage walking and cycling the design will provide a segregated route from vehicle traffic where possible, busy traffic routes promoting a feeling of safety and comfort whilst utilising the route, and; further reinforcing the use of these modes of travel.

’This has both environmental benefits for carbon reduction and promotes a healthier lifestyle.’

Other routes the DoI intends to improve include the New Castletown Road, Peel Road and the Quarterbridge where it encourages the creation of a park and walk system. To achieve this, it intends to improve car parking facilities at Douglas Rugby Club.

Meanwhile, the department has confirmed it intends to begin work on a £1.605m replacement for Pulrose Bridge which links Groves Road with Peel Road in early 2021. The existing bridge dates from 1931.