DoI accepts Castletown Commissioners request for permanent closure of Market Square

It was on the agenda for the local authority's November board meeting

Castletown Commissioners met last night to discuss a number of issues affecting the town, including the controversial decision to close the square to vehicles during the winter months.

The local authority received letters from two business owners in the town and two residents about the closure of the square to vehicles all year round.

Chair Beth Cannan said at the beginning that she and the clerk had been subject to ‘unfounded’ comments online about the decision and said claims made about her having a financial interest in the closure were not true.

Mrs Cannan said she had been ‘open’ and transparent about her work with markets and the basis for the closure was not for this event.

She added many of the shops in the town are either appointment only or have flexible hours and the town is becoming less of a service centre.

Commissioner Colin Leather said he had visited 16 of the businesses in the town and asked them if they were for or against the move.

He said 11 were in favour of pedestrianisation, four were against the decision and one shop owner said they were neither for nor against.

The board said it had received an acknowledgement from the Department of Infrastructure that it’s in support of the closure of the square but is now waiting for approval from the minister.

Also on the agenda was an update on the civic hall.

A letter was sent to the commissioners requesting the use of the hall for local Scout and Guide groups from next January.

The clerk confirmed the building should be reopened next year but is currently being used for storage whilst other developments are taking place.

The board agreed not to take any bookings for the hall until there is a confirmed date for opening – it also resolved to look at costs, deposits and operating times in a private meeting.

A living streets consultation has been released looking into Castletown, to determine what residents think about 20mph zones and if streets should be made one way.

The clerk said there are two drop-in sessions for residents on the afternoons of 13 November and 21 November – and the board said it were disappointed there weren’t any in the evening for people who work.

Castletown Commissioners will next meet on Monday, 2 December.