Frustration over lack of DOI support
A Douglas councillor has expressed his frustration with government, over a lack of financial support for the installation of free water bottle ‘filler fountains’ on the promenade.
At a council meeting held yesterday (11 July) in the Town Hall, members unanimously approved the installation of the three units, rather than the originally proposed six.
The Department of Infrastructure has expressed its support for the creation of the water dispensing features, but isn’t prepared to foot the bill for the cost of purchase, installation or maintenance.
Councillor Ritchie McNicoll asked why Douglas ratepayers were being asked to fund the project, when central government is already spending more than £20million on the promenade regeneration scheme.
He questioned why government wasn’t more supportive of the proposal, considering it had recently committed to cutting down on the use of plastic materials.
Council Leader David Christian admitted he was disappointed the fountains had not been included within the Department of Infrastructure’s regeneration works.
He said, despite the lack of government support, the Council must provide the fountains to encourage people to cut down plastic usage, as the number of bottles littered across the Island was ‘unbelievable’.
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