Works to improve Mountain Road grip pushed back

The closure of one of the Isle of Man's major routes for works to improve grip on the road surface has been pushed back due to "logistical constraints".

The carriageway on the A18 Mountain Road from the Bungalow to the Creg Ny Baa will now be shut from 09:30 to 16:30 BST on Wednesday instead.

The project is being carried out in the area of Keppel Gate on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) by specialist contractors.

The department said the works would "improve safety for all road users, particularly in wet conditions".

It said the closure was for "captive shot blasting" to be undertaken, a technique used to re-profile aggregate in the road surface so as to create a rougher texture and thereby improve skid resistance.

The section had been scheduled for resurfacing earlier this year as part of a broader scheme which included additional drainage, but the DOI said that had also been postponed "due to logistical challenges".

The shot blasting is designed as an interim measure to improve surface grip ahead of autumn and winter.

Although the work is only expected to take one day, further contingency dates of 10 and 11 July are available if conditions on Wednesday are not suitable.

The closure extends to the Bungalow for additional maintenance works.

Access to the Bungalow, Snaefell Mountain Railway and both cafes will be possible from Ramsey and Tholt Y Will, while the Creg Ny Baa will be accessible from Hillberry and the Creg Ny Baa Back Road.

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