Motorists are facing weeks of disruption as two major schemes on main roads into and out of Douglas get under way at the same time.

Buck’s Road will be closed to traffic between Rosemount and Demesne Road from 7pm on Sunday for gas main replacement works.

Meanwhile, temporary resurfacing of the southern end of Douglas promenades will begin on Friday evening and is scheduled for completion on April 1.

While the Promenades will remain open for traffic, the two schemes are certain to create misery for motorists for weeks on end.

A DoI spokesman said: ’Traffic management systems will be in place to help maintain the flow of vehicles in and around Douglas while work takes place on Bucks Road and the southern section of the Promenade.

’The gas main replacement work being undertaken in March by Manx Gas has been scheduled for some time. The DoI has worked closely with Manx Gas representatives during the development of the scheme to try to manage any potential disruption to the travelling public.

’The work involves the closure of Bucks Road between Rosemount and Demense Road and has been programmed to ensure completion prior to the 2017 TT Festival. Diversions will be in place along Derby Road and Circular Road.

’This has the potential to increase the volume of traffic using Douglas Promenade while resurfacing work is carried out from the Sea Terminal to Broadway by the Department of Infrastructure.

’This scheme, which involves planing out the existing road surface and laying a new asphalt concrete surface, needs to be completed before the advertised start of the 2017 horse tram season in April.

’Traffic management plans are being implemented to keep the Promenade open to two-way traffic throughout the scheme, which is scheduled for completion by Saturday April 1. This should help to minimise disruption.

’In addition, the flow of traffic will not be affected by slow moving vehicles looking for parking spaces or by pedestrians crossing the Promenade as parking restrictions will be in place and pedestrian crossings will be out of operation during the resurfacing work.’

Manx Gas says its works overall will last for up to 11 weeks, ending on May 20.

It has been divided into three phases: Rosemount junction to Demesne Road, Demesne Road to Mona Street and Mona Street to Circular Road. Should the work not be completed by May 20, it will be suspended for the period of the TT and resume in July.

Temporary resurfacing of the southern section of Douglas’s promenades from the Sea Terminal to Broadway will be carried out in four phases.

The £75,000 scheme, described as a short-term fix, will see the existing road surface planed out and a new asphalt surface laid to three metres either side of the horse tram tracks.

Phases one and two involve the landward and seaward side of the promenade between the Sea Terminal and Greensills Corne.

Parking will be suspended on the landward side until March 11 and on the seaward side between March 3, and 18.

Phase three involving the seaward side of the Promenade between Greensill’s Corner and Broadway will take place between March 17 and 25. Parking will be suspended during that time.

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.