Introduction of more 20mph speed limits begins

Report by BBC Isle of Man:

A southern village has become the first on the Isle of Man to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all residential roads ahead of a further roll out of the scheme.

The Department of Infrastructure has installed new signs in Port St Mary to signal the shift with changes set to be introduced in Douglas and Onchan next.

The department said the measure reflected a commitment made by Tynwald in 2023 for all Manx towns and villages to be 20mph zones.

The move also addressed calls for limits to be reduced on roads near to local primary school Scoill Phurt le Moirrey the DOI said.

Infrastructure Minister, and Rushen MHK, Michelle Haywood welcomed the change on the road past the school, which previously had no safety zone, but said changes through the rest of the village were likely to be 'marginal' as traffic averaged just above the new limit.

"Although slower traffic may reduce the number of wing mirrors that get smashed into," she added.

Rushen MHK Juan Watterson, who previously called for restrictions around the school, said while it might not seem like the biggest priority to the people of Port St Mary who were 'still struggling to get the high street fixed' the village has had issues 'where cars have been going too fast and putting kids in danger'.

The need for motorists to take extra care in the area had 'very much been at the forefront of teacher and parents' minds', he added.

In February 2023 Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett called for the blanket zones on residential roads in the Island's villages and towns.

The DoI confirmed schools have been included in the strategy with existing signs set to be replaced alongside the installation of flashing lights to 'highlight when drivers should take extra care'.

The department said reducing traffic speeds in residential areas had been seen as 'an important step towards improving people's quality of life and creating streets that are safe and inclusive'.

It said no new traffic calming measures would be implemented under the initiative instead it would focus on installing new signage, raising public awareness and 'encouraging compliance through behaviour change'.