Motorists are crying foul over parking restrictions on Douglas promenade.

A number have taken to social media complaining they have parked their cars during the evening, only to find the next day their vehicle surrounded by cones and with a parking ticket on the windscreen.

One who got a fixed penalty notice when he parked outside his home on Central Promenade said: ’This is getting beyond a joke now. This has happened to me twice.

’I parked outside my address on Douglas Promenade during the evening and came outside the next day to find my car, as well as other cars, surrounded by parking cones and all ticketed with £60 fines.

’These parking tickets must be a money machine for the department.’

The MyProm team posted a comment claiming the cones had been placed out in the afternoon before he had parked the car - which he denied. But then he got a call from MyProm saying there would be no fine.

A spokesman said the Department of Infrastructure could not comment on individual cases - but that parking tickets are generally issued as a ’last resort’.

He said: ’A rolling suspension of vehicle parking is in operation to assist the efficient progress of the Douglas Promenade refurbishment scheme.

’When the contractor identifies the sections of highway to be reconstructed, the MyProm project team emails or hand delivers letters to all residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

’Face-to-face meetings are held, where possible, with those directly affected by the work to raise awareness of the plans to place parking cones in the vicinity during a specific period.

’Information in respect of parking suspensions is also published on the MyProm website and via the Facebook and Twitter feeds as part of the regular traffic management updates.

’In many cases notices have been placed on vehicles parked in locations where work is scheduled to start in order to prompt the owners to move them.

’If there is a risk that parked vehicles will cause obstructions or delay the refurbishment scheme a parking ticket may be issued. This action is generally taken only as a last resort.’

He said an individual can request a review of a fixed penalty notice by contacting the parking administration section of the DoI.

The spokesman added: ’The contractors, the traffic management team and the MyProm team are continuing to work in partnership to keep people informed about what is happening on Douglas Promenade.’

The latest developments regarding the scheme are posted on the MyProm website and social media channels, while the public office at the Sea Terminal is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, telephone 686363.