Long-discussed thoughts about redeveloping the Quarterbridge have been revisited by the DoI, the minister has confirmed.
The government bought the now long closed pub in 2007 with plans since exploring a new road layout and a blue light hub.
Tim Crookall told a Tynwald committee that there had “been a thought of having a bigger scheme down there, which involved taking away the Quarterbridge pub at that time, and that’s why it was bought originally”.
“Those thoughts and that are still out there, and they get discussed every now and again,” he said.
The minister revealed he had been talking about the project on the morning of the evidence session.
“Strange enough, we were literally talking about that. I was talking about that with somebody this morning, because the pub needs a lot of work doing on it, but actually it’s just sitting there doing nothing at the moment.”
Housing
The issue has gained urgency due to planned housing developments, including beyond Braddan Bridge. Mr Crookall said morning traffic into Douglas would have “a huge effect”.
He also however acknowledged limited options. “We can’t really put any more roads in when you look at the way Douglas has built up. We have to make best of what we’ve got.”