Bus terminal plan to meet needs, minister says

The proposals for the Lord Street site also include offices and flats

Plans for a new bus terminal contain adequate space for facilities for passengers and bus drivers, the infrastructure minister has confirmed.

The proposals by Wyyttavin Limited form part of a scheme on Lord Street in Douglas including 85 apartments, offices and flats that was announced last month.

Tim Crookall said the department had had a "lot of input" with the developer and he was "very happy" the project would meet a range of needs if approved by planners.

But Juan Watterson SHK said assurances were needed bus passengers would not feel they were being "jammed into a broom cupboard in the winter".

Mr Crookall confirmed the designs had "the right level of space" and included an indoor waiting area for passengers, an information desk, electric bus service information, toilets and external bus stands and shelters.

Long-term replacement

Joney Faragher MHK expressed frustration at delays to the development of the site, which was used as a car park for several years after the previous bus station's demolition.

She said residents may feel a "wariness" about the new proposals after previous plans for a private development on the site did not progress.

Those proposals, which were approved in July 2019, included a hotel and cinema complex.

The minister confirmed his department had secured a grant from the Treasury's Project Development Fund to scope and develop options for a long-term replacement bus terminal in lower Douglas.

That had included further assessments in and around the sea terminal building, but the area was not big enough to move the bus station in its entirety to as there were "too many comings and goings", Mr Crookall said.