Flood Risk and Traffic Congestion
- Flood risk to the National Sports Centre, Douglas Fire Station, Banks Circus bus depot, Douglas Railway Station, Pulrose Power Station and Pulrose Bridge after major flooding occurred in 2015; and
- traffic congestion at Quarterbridge and Governor's Hill roundabouts.
The Strategy concludes that the Island's key assets are currently maintained to an appropriate standard and have been designed to withstand future change.
15 National Infrastructure Strategy, GD 2017/0025
Harbours Strategy
The Harbours Strategy (March 2018)16 identifies that commercial activity in Douglas Harbour is currently constrained by the lack of a deep water berth for cruise vessels. The Strategy sets out support for the development of deep water berthing facilities at Victoria Pier. Key details of the Strategy include:
- A new deep water berth alongside the north side of Victoria Pier could accommodate vessels up to 240m long with a draught of 8m (waterline to the bottom of a ship's hull).
- Cruise vessels accommodating 1,200 to 2,000 passengers would be able to berth alongside as long as suitable tugs are available.
- Facilities for these customers will be accommodated within the Sea Terminal and parking for buses and coaches will be possible on the pier. Other visiting vessels, such as Royal Navy vessels, wind farm maintenance vessels and survey vessels would be able to use the berth.
The Harbours Strategy also identifies the need to further develop the marine leisure facilities in Douglas provided suitable associated facilities can be supplied, carry out a review of the berthing arrangements and undertake an independent assessment of the primarily leisure harbour in Laxey.
Other relevant planning legislation relevant in the East includes the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) (Government Owned Land) Order 2012. This Order permits some development on specified sites which would normally require planning approval. In the East, the specified sites relate to the following Government-owned sites: Douglas Outer Harbour, Nobles Hospital and the National Sports Centre.
Area Plan Objectives
- To ensure that key transport corridors linking ports to the broader transport network are protected.
- To support and implement, where possible, the National Infrastructure Strategy 2017 and the Harbours Strategy 2018.
- To co-ordinate development of all transport modes to provide a comprehensive transport system.
- To provide and support the best quality telecommunications networks and to support the economy by doing so.
- To reduce the risk and impact of flooding, stormwater and overland flow on catchments and neighbouring properties.
- To plan for the provision of water supply, sewerage and drainage services that efficiently and effectively meet community needs without harm to the natural environment.
16 Harbours Strategy GD 2018/0011
- To manage the sequence of development in growth areas so that services are available from early in the life of new/expanded communities. This includes the creation and supply of all utility services.
Area Plan Desired Outcomes
- New development is integrated into existing public and active transport systems and provides high quality access and parking for motor vehicles.
- Congestion issues are investigated and addressed with the wider network in mind, ensuring that problems are not simply shifted 'downstream'.
- Transport routes are located so as to achieve the greatest overall benefit to the community and with regard to making the best use of existing social, cultural and economic infrastructure, minimising impacts on the environment and optimising accessibility, safety, emergency access, service and amenity.
- The timing of installation of services and infrastructure in new development areas is co-ordinated so as to ensure the cost-efficient provision of local and regional infrastructure.
- All development briefs should include a requirement to scope out and plan for the provision of electric vehicle charging (EVC) points as part of the scheme as a whole and as part of individual properties.
- Infrastructure is appropriately lit to provide safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles at night.
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are installed to protect and enhance natural water systems and minimise drainage and infrastructure costs.
- Modern, high-speed and effective communications networks are integrated into new design schemes as a matter of course.
Strategic Routes
The Isle of Man has a strategic transport network which links to all parts of the Island. This is set out spatially on the Key Diagram in Chapter 5. It comprises of a radial pattern of roads converging on Douglas with links to the main service and employment centres around the coast. Douglas is one of the key gateways to the Island. This is not only of importance as an employer but also i
