Meeting called over town square car ban plan

Residents opposed to a bid to pedestrianise a town square in the south of the Isle of Man have called for a public meeting to discuss the move.

Castletown Commissioners applied to the Department of Infrastructure last year to ban vehicles permanently from Market Square to boost footfall through community events.

However, a number of residents against the change have organised a meeting at Morton Hall on 28 November from 19:30 GMT.

Former commissioner John Cringle, who arranged the event, argued there had not been consultation with local residents or businesses and the meeting was needed to clarify the situation.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) said the traffic order banning vehicles has been recommended for approval and was expected to be signed by the minister this week.

Mr Cringle said that during the winter months the availability of 17 short term parking spaces in the town centre was important when the weather was "often inclement".

The DOI said it had advertised the traffic regulations order and the public had been given until 18 October to submit representations.

Mr Cringle said he had submitted a petition with over 200 signatories who were against the change to both the commissioners and the department, however it was submitted after the deadline.

Town clerk Hugo Mackenzie said that the request to ban vehicles year round was made in November 2023, and since then there had been no further application or consultation from the commissioners.

He said Monday evening's local authority meeting was public, giving individuals the opportunity to attend and ask questions if they chose to.

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