The transport minister says a future linkspan built in Douglas Harbour could be used by a rival to the Steam Packet.

David Anderson says replacing the existing government facility, which is controlled by the User Agreement, could cost around ?8 million.

He told Manx Radio, before that could happen, improvements would have to be made to the Outer Harbour:

"It would have to be made sure the harbour was a safer place for what would inevitably be in the future bigger craft to berth alongside.

"We would have to do that before any work to replace the linkspan, so a revetments scheme where it takes out the wave action within the harbour is planned to take place, and re-lining different areas of the harbour and moving things around.

"One of the proposals would be to change the location of the lifeboat station and take some of the berthing facilities out."

More on Wednesday's Mandate.

(Picture: An aerial view of Douglas Harbour).