New plans to redevelop the ’gateway to the island’ have been submitted, and caused a stir among residents.

With a few photographs of the proposal in hand, the Examiner approached people in Strand Street, Douglas, to get their thoughts on the new designs for the capital’s promenade.

They were also asked for their thoughts on the loss of 75 car parking spaces if plans were to go ahead.

Frequent visitors to the island Melissa Makin, 23, from Liverpool and Ben Rea, 25, from Clitheroe were impressed with the new plans.

’It looks very clean,’ said Melissa. ’You’d get a nice view from the horse trams and it would make the traffic better too.

’We love coming over here, it’s like stepping back in time. The promenade could do with a bit of TLC, but it’s nothing compared to the roads in Liverpool.’

Ben said: ’We did struggle to find a car park on the promenade this morning.’

When asked about the horse trams, he said: ’You don’t get the horse trams anywhere else. That’s what makes it Douglas prom for us.’

Douglas resident, Sally Quayle, 63, said: ’Douglas promenade is the face of the island. If it looks drab, people won’t want to come over, especially those on the cruise ships.

’We should definitely keep the horse trams. It’s heritage and famous all over the world.

’I used to look after the elderly and we would go on the trams. It was a nightmare trying to get them on and off, so I think the new plans would be safer for users and stop horses from being injured by cars.’

Steve Winchester, 51, Peel, said: ’The promenade needs redeveloping.

’However, how are the owners of the flats, hotels and pubs going to be affected? I think the cultural area is a neat idea. Maybe they should put a fountain there?

’We don’t need the horse trams. They get in the way of the traffic and do not generate much income. It would be cheaper to just pave it and focus on making pedestrian and cyclists.’

Mick, over-60, and Sonia Juchnowacz, under-60, live at the northern end of Douglas promenade.

Mick said: ’As they say, it’s the gateway to the island. It’s a disgrace and has been for so many years.

’The road is like from a third world country.

’This new plan is a massive improvement from the tired and old promenade we have today.’

Sonia said: ’It will definitely help the shops, but there’s not a lot of parking now and if they are going to remove more it’s going to get worse for customers wanting to come in.’

Her husband slightly disagreed.

’There’s plenty of parks at Chester Street, which is free from 3pm onwards. People are actively trying to discourage motor vehicles here to make it more of a park-and-ride.’

Ann Armstrong, 76, from Douglas said: ’It’s about time it was started because it has gone on for so long.

’I think it’s going to make people approaching Douglas think "Wow! How much better!" It’s got be better than the mess it is now.’

For more information on the proposal, you can read our piece in last week’s Manx Independent or online at www.iomtoday.co.im