Plans to charge for parking permits at national stadium

Permits for parking at the Bowl car park could cost more than £500 under the plans

Motorists could have to pay to park in car park all day at the Isle of Man's national stadium under draft proposals.

An amendment to a 2021 Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) parking order could see a two-tier permit system introduced at the Bowl car park.

Annual class A permits would cost £537.50 plus VAT, with class B permits for those classed as exempt remaining free of charge.

The order also proposes to restrict overnight parking at the Douglas car park, the nearby National Sports Centre (NSC) and at University College Isle of Man (UCM).

The DESC gave notice of the (Off-Street) Parking Places (Amendment) Order 2024 in August and proposes to introduce the changes on 1 October.

People wishing to share their views on the proposed changes by have until Friday to contact the department.

Specific groups can apply for free permits to park at the Bowl car park, including UCM students attending the nearby NSC on Groves Road or the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre at Hills Meadow to study sport and engineering, and staff visiting the facilities to teach.

People going to the NSC to work or use the facilities in their professional capacity would also be exempt, the order states.

The Bowl car park is located next to Pulrose Bridge in Douglas

The DESC said under the existing order, parking restrictions were in place from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 17:30 BST at the Bowl car park where permits were issued, as well as there being a two-hour disc parking.

"Under the proposed order, the disc zone will still apply, however parking permits will be charged for," it said.

"For general use of the Bowl at evening and weekends, customers of the NSC and the Bowl will see no change, and can park free of charge."

"The main NSC car park is available to customers free of charge all day."