New plans aim to give a facelift to the 'Gateway to the Isle of Man'

A planning application for the redevelopment of the "Gateway to the Isle of Man" has been submitted.

Work will start in September to rejuvenate Douglas Promenade if the plans are approved.

The proposals feature a new design for the southern section of the Promenade, designed to improve traffic flow, junctions and footpaths.

The scheme, which gained overwhelming support from Tynwald Members in 2017, also includes the creation of a cultural area around the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre.

The plans aim to save the area's "crumbling" infrastructure and will involve the excavation and reconstruction of the highway and drainage, as well as the installation of new water and gas mains and ducting.

Horse tram tracks will be re-laid, with tracks retained in the centre of the road from the terminal at Strathallan to a point just north of the Broadway junction.

They will then cross to the seaward side of the road and switch to a single track, terminating alongside the Bottleneck car park.

The Promenade proposals were recently on public display in the Sea Terminal building, and if planning approval is granted, a contractor will be appointed and a detailed construction programme drawn up.