Temporary resurfacing of the southern section of Douglas’s promenades from the Sea Terminal to Broadway will cost about £75,000 .

But Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer insists it will be very much a short-term fix, pending the go-ahead being given to the full redevelopment project.

It follows the temporary resurfacing of the heavily pot-holed northern section of the promenades, between Broadway and the Summerhill junction last November at a cost of about £40,000.

Work on the southern section is programmed to start during the evening of Friday, March 3, and will be carried out in four phases.

The Department of Infrastructure will put in place a traffic management system to keep the promenade open to vehicles throughout the scheme, which is scheduled for completion by Saturday, April 1.

Work involves planing out the existing road surface and laying a new asphalt concrete surface. The resurfacing will be to the driving lane only, about 3m either side of the horse tram tracks.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ’The department is currently pressing ahead with a scheme for the full redevelopment of Douglas promenade in line with the direction provided by Tynwald.

’The work required to bring forward a completely new design, together with the process to secure financial and planning approvals, means it may be some time before construction work gets under way.’

He added: ’In the meantime, we are proposing to resurface the southern end of the promenade in a similar fashion to the work that was carried out between Summerhill and Broadway towards the end of 2016.

’This will be funded by the department at a cost of about £75,000 and is very much a short-term fix to make the road smoother and safer.’

Mr Harmer added: ’Work will be completed within a four-week window to minimise the impact on residents, businesses, road users and bus services. I wish to thank people in advance for their patience and cooperation while these temporary improvements take place.’

Phase one, involving the landward side of the promenade between the Sea Terminal and Greensills Corner, will take place between March 3 and 11.

Parking will be suspended between March 3 and 18 for phase two, the seaward side between the Sea Terminal and Greensills Corner, with resurfacing work carried out between March 10 and 18.

Phase three, involving the seaward side of the Promenade between Greensills Corner and Broadway will take place between March 17 and 25.

And phase four, the frontage of the Gaiety Theatre and Villa Marina, will see resurfacing work carried out between March 24 and April 1. Traffic management and a temporary taxi rank will be put in place.