Castletown Square to be pedestrianised

Local authority to 'reclaim' area as public space

Castletown Commissioners have announced new plans to permanently pedestrianise the centre of the ancient capital.

The Board voted to reclaim the square as a public place at its meeting on Monday (16th July) and will now write to the Department of Infrastructure requesting the change take place.

Chairman of the Commissioners Colin Leather says the area should be used for the benefit of the community, as a civic space unique to the town.

According to Mr Leather, residents were concerned that pedestrianisation hadn't happened sooner, after the closure of the square earlier in the year didn't lead to Castletown 'grinding to a halt'.

The local authority will also propose changes to increase the amount of free short stay parking at other sites in the town.

Under the amendments, any vehicle found parked for over two hours would be charged £1 a day. The money raised from these fines would be 'ring-fenced for investment in parking infrastructure'.