Plan for potential bus station to be brought to December Tynwald

Douglas Bus Station plans given deadline by court

The debate over the potential for a new bus station in Douglas has again reared its head in Tynwald.

In July last year, the court supported a motion brought forward by Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher, saying that establishing a new facility should be 'a priority'.

However, loose plans have only recently been published as part of the redevelopment proposed for the Lord Street site.

Last month, Joney Faragher asked the infrastructure minister for an update on the situation.

At this weeks' sitting, she implored members to reaffirm their support and called for the Department of Infrastructure to work up a detailed plan and bring it back to the court in December.

Onchan MHK Julie Edge, and Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas supported the motion, but called for the plan to be fully costed when brought before Tynwald.

Two amendments were also put forward. 

The first, from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover, called for the plan to be debated when brought before the court, and the second, from Rushen MHK, Michelle Haywood, stipulated that the scheme shouldn't be dependent on the completion of plans for the Lord Street Site.

In the end, Ms Faragher's motion was passed, as amended, with full backing of the court.