Report claims Douglas Prom scheme continues to cause 'severe disruption'

A report claims the Douglas Promenade scheme has 'no definitive budget' and continues to cause 'severe disruption' to businesses and residents.

The Environment and Infrastructure Policy Review Committee has published its final report on the project which has been submitted to Tynwald this month.

In its summary, the panel also says it has concerns about plans complete the laying of the single horse tram track between the War Memorial and Sea Terminal as a separate phase, saying it delays the scheme further and believes it hides the true cost of it from the public.

The committee says: "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.

"The Department of Infrastructure’s plan to complete the laying of the single horse tram track between the War Memorial and Sea Terminal as a separate phase of work continues to concern us. We believe this plan delays the project further, hides the true overall cost from the public and prevents the will of the current Tynwald from being carried out.

"There are a number of strategic level issues in the Department related to its ability to manage large projects that we believe have been responsible for the failures of the Promenade Scheme."

Work to the roads along the stretch are currently hoped to be finished in August, with work on the Horse Tram network to take place after that.