In a victory for Douglas residents and workers, the Isle of Man Government’s planning committee have rejected their effort to reduce car parking in Douglas.
“This is a victory for Douglas residents, a victory for Douglas workers, and a victory for common sense,” said Michael Josem of the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance. “Hopefully this sends a message that improving Douglas transport options should not be a war where advocates for one form of travel actively try to sabotage other options.”
Last week, the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance revealed and publicised the scheme by the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure (DOI) and Douglas Borough Council (DBC) to remove the car park which had operated for more than a decade on Circular Road.
Earlier this morning (27 April), an official from the Planning Committee confirmed to the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance during a phone call that the planning application had been “approved” against the recommendation of the planning officers. This means that the application to continue to operate the site as a car park had been approved, and the combined effort of the DOI and DBC had been rejected.
“Our island needs an integrated and complementary transport system which allows different people to travel at different times using different vehicles (or no vehicles at all) to different locations. This means building and enhancing new facilities, not ripping down competing travel alternatives,” said Josem.
