More multi-storey car parks in Douglas could see even greater reductions in parking on the promenade.

Under the £20 million promenade redevelopment scheme, 75 disc parking spaces are set to be lost, taking the number from 236 to 161.

But some want the number to be cut further in the future - and Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer indicated an increase in multi-storey car parks in the capital was a long-term aim.

Bill Shimmins (Middle) told the House of Keys: ’Douglas promenade is over-parked and this distracts from what should be a gem of our island.’

He said that view was shared by consultants and experts. He asked Mr Harmer, if opportunities to build more multi-storey car parks arose, whether he would ’further remove the parking which blights our promenade?’

Mr Harmer said he agreed with Mr Shimmins.

’I think parking provision is better placed in the multi-storeys,’ said the minister. ’That is some of what we are looking at in some of the options in terms of the longer term.’

Earlier Rob Callister (Onchan) asked Mr Harmer what plans were in place to address concerns at the loss of parking spaces following the redevelopment of the promenade.

Mr Harmer said the reduction of parking spaces was necessary for ’enhanced and improved facilities for the promenade’.

He added: ’While parking provision will be less than currently exists, the scheme benefits from a greater number of loading and unloading bays, bus stops, taxi ranks and coach parks.

’The public has access to numerous off-street parking facilities in the vicinity of Loch Promenade and the town centre, including the multi-storey car parks. Some of these facilities are being underused and available spaces more than make up for the spaces that are being lost on Loch Promenade.’

If planning approval is obtained, work on the three-year scheme to revamp the promenade will begin in September.

What the scheme will involve:

The planning application features a new design for the southern section of the promenade to improve traffic flow, junctions and footpaths.

The northern end, from Broadway, will be developed on a simple, like-for-like basis.

The scheme, backed by Tynwald last year, also includes the creation of a cultural area around the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre.

A full depth excavation and reconstruction of the failing highway and drainage will need to take place, as well as the installation of new water and gas mains and ducting.

The horse tram tracks will be re-laid, with twin tracks retained in the centre of the road from the terminal at Strathallan to a point just north of the Broadway junction. They will then cross to the seaward side of the highway and switch to a single track terminating alongside the Bottleneck car park.