New 20mph speed limit roll-out to focus on schools

A roll-out of lower speed limits in urban areas of the Isle of Man has resumed following a pause caused by a ministerial reshuffle - and will focus first on schools.

The Department of Infrastructure confirmed it had "refined its approach to prioritise locations that will benefit pupils, parents and school staff", starting with schools in the capital.

Although the previous programme had seen several roads in built-up areas reduced to 20mph (32kmh) in villages and towns, the revised focus will be on roads near schools.

The move follows a unanimous Tynwald vote in October 2020 – which was reaffirmed three years later – to support speed reductions in urban areas.

Started in Port St Mary in February last year, the scheme had reached the Douglas and Onchan areas when it was paused following the removal of Michelle Haywood MHK from the department in January.

On taking over the role, Tim Crookall MHK said it was his "week one" priority to pause the scheme following a backlash against it in some areas.

The Department of Infrastructure said limits would now be put in place around five schools in Douglas.

They are St Ninian's High School, Ballakermeen High School, St Mary's Primary School, Henry Bloom Noble Primary School, and Scoill yn Jubilee and St Thomas' - which share the same site.

In a statement, the department said the areas being targeted "encompass the neighbourhood in which Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett's campaign for lower speed limits began".

Corlett brought forward the original motion to have speed limits around Ballakermeen High School reduced due to safety concerns.

The department said the latest changes were designed to strike "a balance between maintaining safe travel around schools and allowing strategic through routes to continue operating effectively".

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