Road closure notices that extend to October 8 could signal a further delay to the much-anticipated full opening of Douglas promenade.

But the Department of Infrastructure says it’s just a precaution against poor weather conditions and that the scheme is being completed as quickly as possible.

A spokesman for the DoI said: ’Auldyn Construction is progressing on the final surfacing along Douglas promenade.

’As the work reaches its finish the contractor is balancing a number of road closures, both daytime and night time, in order to get the scheme completed.’

The spokesman continued: ’Both the Department of Infrastructure and Auldyn Construction are working hard to minimise disruption to businesses, residents, motorists and pedestrians while working towards a tight schedule of works.

’Final surfacing works are weather dependent so some additional time has been allocated to the road traffic notices.’

Auldyn has outlined a programme of works that started on Monday and, the contractor states on the MyProm website, ’is set to commence over the next four weeks’ - which would take the scheme beyond the end-of-September deadline.

Auldyn has warned of potential disruption, stating: ’Some of the work is weather dependent, for example concrete cannot be poured in poor weather and the work force may be relocated to another area along the promenade.’

The DoI spokesman told the Examiner: ’Every endeavour is being made to complete as soon as possible.’

The saga began three years ago this month when work got under way on the £25m project.

The scheme was due to be completed by October 2020 but there have been a series of delays for numerous reasons, including a shortage of workers, with difficulties in bringing skilled people from off the island during the pandemic, and remedial works to concrete surfacing.

In July 2020, an additional £750,000 was allocated to the scheme after it went over budget. A new deadline for completion of March 2021 came and went, with the DoI promising the scheme would be finished by the end of August.

In May, a parliamentary select committee criticised the scheme, stating: ’The promenade scheme continues to be heavily delayed, has no definitive budget, and continues to cause severe disruption to businesses, residents, the wider public and the economy.’

In July, it was announced that the revamp of the 2.6km length of the prom would be completed by the end of September.