Time to comment on 20mph speed limit plan extended

The period for communities to express their views on plans for the rollout of lower speed limits in residential areas is set to be extended.

Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said local authorities would be given six weeks for each region, rather than the statutory two.

Concerns had been raised over the move to introduce 20mph (32km/h) in the island's towns and villages.

Haywood said the "staggered" consultation process and the release of "before and after" maps would allow the rollout to be "tailored" to suit each community.

She said she was also committed to meet the island's local authorities directly with Department of Infrastructure officers to discuss the plan and any concerns about them.

Port St Mary was the first area in the island to see the signage for the lower limits introduced on all residential roads.

Under the changes to the rollout, consultation and implementation of the scheme for the rest of the island has been broken down into four phases.

The first is set to focus on Douglas and Onchan, with implementation due to be carried out during the summer months.

North: Maughold, Ramsey, Andreas, Kirk Michael and surrounding areas – consultation during summer months, implementation in autumn

Central: Peel, Laxey, St Johns, Foxdale – consultation during autumn months, implementation in sprint 2026

South: Castletown, Ballasalla, Port Erin, Colby - consultation during winter months, implementation in summer 2026

Haywood said the timescale for rolling out the programme would remain largely the same, despite the increase in time for feedback to be submitted.

She said: "People can feedback either through their commissioners or they can feedback directly into the process.

"Then we'll review each town and village for each area and the comments that we've received and we'll tailor each area, so that when the signs start being installed we know we've got local consensus."

Politicians will be asked to approve the 20mph Project Implementation Plan at the May Tynwald sitting.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.