Proposal to pedestrianise high street rejected

A plan to trial the pedestrianisation of a high street at weekends during the summer months will not be going ahead after it failed to gain backing from a local authority.

Commissioner Lamara Craine's proposal would have seen part of Parliament Street closed to traffic from 10:00 until 14:00 GMT on Saturdays from May to September.

But the proposals failed to attract a seconder at the latest Ramsey Commissioners meeting after 39 retailers in the town signed a letter objecting to the idea.

The Northern Chamber of Commerce also stated that it "strongly objected" to the pedestrianisation trial between Christian Street and Crellin's Lane.

The chamber also raised concerns over the way an online questionnaire about he proposals aimed at businesses was conducted.

It described the scheme as "divisive" and said that said that there could be "wider implications" if it were approved.

Ms Craine's motion consisted of three proposals, including the online consultation, a report by the local authority's staff on its results and possible pedestrianisation options, and the trial itself.

None of the proposals were seconded, though an alternative motion by commissioner Adam Beighton to "not pursue" the matter any further was supported.

In a statement on social media, Ms Craine said the result had been "expected".

She said while some had wanted a "better looking, more peaceful and inviting environment", the town was not "ready for it yet".

She said: "Ramsey doesn't want change, Ramsey wishes to remain the same.

"Relinquishing our public space, our air and our peace to the presence of vehicles."

Craine's bid follows a long-standing debate about pedestrianisation in the southern town of Castletown, where a temporary order closing the square to traffic is currently in place.

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