Residents affected by the Douglas promenades scheme will be given exclusive access to an entire floor of Chester Street car park until the project is completed.

Disc parking will also be available over two floors of Chester Street car park from today in a change designed to improve access to Douglas town centre and support the local economy.

The measures are the first to be introduced since the Department of Infrastructure resumed control of the Chester Street and Drumgold Street car parks from Douglas Borough Council.

A DoI spokesman said: ’Creating more parking is seen as an effective way to attract more people into the town centre and supports the work being undertaken by the cross-government economic recovery group in response to the current economic conditions.’

Minister Tim Baker said: ’The changes announced today have been planned to help and support businesses and residents, in response to the issues caused by the decision to accelerate the Promenade scheme following the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

’We are listening to concerns and responding by finding ways to mitigate the inconvenience of the promenade one-way system and road closures.

’I am particularly pleased that we can now make available more than 160 extra disc parking spaces without charge, which will make it easier for people to access the shops and services in the town centre.’

Free parking continues to be available 6pm to 8am at Parade Street East and The Tongue car parks, which are run by the DoI.

However, the DoI has not made any changes to the Drumgold Street (M&S) car park.