A £1.4m project to continue the regeneration of the capital’s high street will get under way early next year.

The project on Castle Street, Douglas, will build on the work already carried out to breathe new life into Strand Street and Regent Street and, like them, will see the old concrete paving replaced with granite slabs and setts.

Construction is set to start on Monday, January 8 in the areas of Senna Road and Frederick Street.

disruption

There will be two working areas at all times to reduce the duration of the scheme and minimise disruption to businesses and the public.

Work will be carried out by the highway services division.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer said: ’Douglas is our main retail hub and gateway to the Isle of Man and the Castle Street scheme will revitalise the northern end of the high street. This will continue the regeneration work carried out in Strand Street and Regent Street and provide a seamless connection to the proposed cultural area on Douglas Promenade.’

David Anderson MLC, DoI member with responsibility for highway services, added: ’Work of this nature does result in short-term disruption and I’d like to thank the businesses in advance for their patience and co-operation.’

Access will be maintained to all premises in Castle Street throughout the work.

A letter outlining the proposed construction timetable has been delivered to businesses and officers from the DoI will provide regular updates on progress.

The regeneration of Castle Street will involve a full reconstruction of the street, including the upgrading of public utilities and the installation of new lighting and street furniture. Existing pink concrete paviours, which were laid nearly 40 years ago, will be replaced with the natural granite slabs and setts successfully introduced in Strand Street and Regent Street.

The scheme is scheduled for completion in mid-October 2018 when attention will turn to taking forward proposals to improve Duke Street.