A Douglas resident has told of his frustration that once the promenade regeneration is finished, 23 parking spaces will be lost around his home.

Keith Simpson lives at Clarence House, Clarence Terrace and he owns and rents out several of the flats in the block.

Mr Simpson said he was first made aware of the loss of 23 spaces on the MyProm page, which speaks of a loss of 20 spaces. However, he and other residents in the area believe it to be 23.

The MyProm website said: ’The loss of 20 parking spaces both land side and seaside on Central Promenade, in front of and just north of Clarence Terrace, is particularly difficult to those residents that use these public parking spaces. These residents can apply for area ’Q’ parking permits, which currently allows them if there is space, to park on the public highway on Central Promenade or in a number of streets in the surrounding area. Once the scheme is completed, the parking spaces at this location on Central Promenade will no longer be available.’

Mr Simpson told the Examiner: ’I didn’t know and speaking to the neighbours, none of them seemed to have known either.

Disruption

’We were given the option to apply for Q permits, which we already have, and to park in nearby streets.

’Many of the nearby streets are quite narrow so realistically, there is nowhere within half a mile without disrupting people who already live in the other houses.’

He said the lack of provision for long term parking was ’completely helpless’ for anyone of retirement age or with young families.

And he said the long term impact on loss of parking will affect his ability to lease out the flats he owns and other residents.

Mr Simpson said: ’I looked at the plans about a year ago, but it wasn’t clear to me which areas were losing parking.

’And even now I only found out where it is because it came up on the MyProm website.

’The work has to be done, the prom has to be improved, but if it goes on as it is now, it will not be an inconvenience as was suggested to me, it will be devastating.’

Melody Crosby, owner of the Thai restaurant and takeaway New Manila, contacted us last month over concerns the disruption to parking was hitting her business and those around her such as Crossley Travel and Vanity Fur.

Those businesses, like Mr Simpson, said there had been a lack of coordination with the Department of Infrastructure and the My Prom team over the effect of a lack of parking.

A DoI spokesman said: ’Fundamental changes to the road layout will have implications for some businesses and residents.

’This work will see a £25 million transformation of the area, including the creation of a new cultural quarter and recreational space.

’It is the most significant scheme to be undertaken on the island for many years and we will continue to try and resolve issues as they emerge.

’While nobody has an absolute right to park on the highway, we understand that this change will have an impact.

’The aim of the new approach to the promenade is to balance a wider range of demands, including traffic flow, walking, cycling, conservation, parking and horse trams.

’The promenade simply isn’t big enough to meet everyone’s aspirations.’