Douglas Council were not prepared to pass the cost of running loss-making car parks onto ratepayers.

It was announced by Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker that the department was taking over the management of Drumgold Street and Chester Street car parks.

Council leader David Christian told the Examiner that the authority sought a reduction in the fees it pays to central government for the car parks, but this was refused.

Mr Christian said: ’For some time we have been concerned that with the prom walkway parking being introduced, some four months before most of the parking on Loch Prom roadway was removed, there would be a drastic reduction in Chester Street usage.

’As we have been unable to charge, until a couple of weeks ago, it became clear that the licence fee was the biggest threat to our finances.

’We asked the Department of Infrastructure to reduce this - they refused and we could not pass the losses on to ratepayers.’

The DoI says it intends to utilise its management of the car parks to help businesses in the town. Mr Baker told the Examiner: ’We are hoping to invest in new technologies, such as replacing the current pay and display with more modern systems based on number-plate recognition.

’We are also looking at ways to see how best we can use parking charges and availability to support the local economy, particularly during the remaining period of the promenade scheme.’

Regular users of Shaw’s Brow and the Bottleneck car parks will be familiar with the number-plate recognition system where it has been installed by Douglas Council over the last few years.

Mr Baker’s announcement came as the DoI unveiled plans to have a return lane on the promenade walkway for drivers wishing to head towards the Sea Terminal.

The DoI said this change would leave over 10 metres of width for other users and ’help businesses make their deliveries and enable customers to be dropped off or picked up by car or taxi’.

Mr Baker added: ’We are committed to getting the promenade done and we will be getting it done by the end of March so we can make a success of next year’s visitor season. I am very aware that this comes with short-term impacts and will do what I can to help without compromising the delivery of the scheme.

’The return lane will help residents and businesses at the south end of the prom; those at the north end can use Empress Drive or Port Jack to return south. Meanwhile we are retaining most of the walkway for use by pedestrians, cyclists and, if necessary, the emergency services.

’We announced the changes to Marina Road and Summerhill in early June and have plenty of time to install the return lane next week so it is ready when the closures take place later this week.’