Enforcement powers for regulations controlling the operation of pavement cafes in the Island's capital should be transferred to Douglas Corporation.

That's the view from the Town Hall, where there's a feeling the Department of Transport isn't doing enough to punish the small number of operators who aren't complying with the rules.

Council Leader David Christian says generally the pavement cafes provide welcome facilities which enhance the town.

But he wants firm action to be taken against the small number of proprietors whose tables and chairs on the public highway repeatedly cause problems (audio file attached):

"The legislation at the moment states that we can grant the licence but we can not remove any off the highway who haven't got a licence ... only the DoT can.

"Obviously with all their other resposibsibilities and commitments it's not high on that list, so what we're saying is give the local authority the full powers and we will enforce them.

"Everybody would be written to and advised that they have to apply for a licence or we would just do it through notices through the local media, saying as from April 1 (next year) you must have a licence. After that date anybody who doesn't have a licence would be asked to remove them.

"They would be given a short period of time, then if they don't remove them (tables and chairs) in my view the local authority should go and remove them and hold them in storage for them to come and collect."

Councillor Christian says anybody who ignored such a warning would be prosecuted.