Opportunity to comment on latest 20mph proposals

Detailed plans for the latest round of a scheme to introduce lower speed limits in residential areas have been put out for consultation.

The move, brought forward by the Department of Infrastructure, will see the 20mph (32km) limits implemented in built up areas across the island over the next 18 months.

People living in Douglas and Onchan have been given until 4 July to submit feedback on the proposals for those areas ahead of the continuation of the project.

Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said her department was not to asking "whether there would be reduced speed limits, but which roads should be included".

Last month Tynwald approved the Department of Infrastructure's plan for the scheme, which outlined increased public involvement and how the project would be put in place.

Haywood said her department was "probably running one of the biggest consultation exercises that has ever been done", as the team aimed to engage with every local authority area over the coming months.

Maps have been made available to view at Onchan Commissioners' office, Onchan Library, Douglas City Hall, Douglas City Library and the Sea Terminal.

The detailed maps have also been made available in an online portal, which allows people to leave feedback by selecting the road they wish to comment on.

Views can also be sent by email to the traffic regulation order team.

Haywood said Tynwald members had now approved the move three times, meaning she now needed to "deliver something that is the best for each residential area".

"Our proposals are there, and they can contract or expand depending on local knowledge," she said.

She said while the department's engineers knew "what the road looks like in terms of highway designs", local residents were best place to comment on "how people use the road and how the traffic flows through the area".

Roads near schools, hospitals and care homes, along with places "where we know there is an increased probability of people who are vulnerable", would be prioritised under the scheme, Haywood said.

Once the department had gathered views and adjusted the proposals accordingly, the department would "feel we have the green light" to implement the reduced speed limits, she added.

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