DOI announces more opportunities for feedback on 20mph zones

Michelle Haywood recognises initial two week period was 'too short'

More opportunities for feedback on 20mph speed limits in residential areas across the Island have been announced by the infrastructure minister.

Michelle Haywood has released a timeline for the implementation of the scheme.

Taking to social media, she recognised the initial two week period for responses on the plans was 'too short'.

She also admitted that trying to consider all the proposed changes simultaneously for the whole Island caused confusion.

Now, the department is planning to consult in stages, starting with towns and villages in the north which will include before and after maps for each location.

The maps will be shared on the DOI website and put on display in the nearest suitable location and also in the sea terminal.

The consultation period will be at least six weeks, and during each one, the relevant Board of Commissioners will be visited to make sure their views are heard.

While the consultations won't stop the implementation of the 20mph zones, residents will be able to give feedback on which specific roads they think should or shouldn't be involved in the scheme.

Implementation Plan

Government has previously been criticised for not bringing a report to Tynwald with recommendations on how the scheme should be implemented - a requirement that had originally been due by March 2021.

Last month, Dr Haywood thanked MHKs for bringing the oversight to her attention, and has now published that plan.

Dating back to the original development of an 'Active Travel Strategy' in May 2018, it reflects on the work that's already been done and what is left to do.

In spring of this year, the department has committed to providing current and proposed speed limit maps for each town and village in the Douglas/Onchan area, with the hope of implementing the speed limits by the summer.

Next on the list will be the north of the Island, with 20mph zones planned to be introduced by the autumn of this year.

Following that, central and western locations are due to see the limits introduced by Spring 2026, with the south of the Island following suit in the summer.

The implementation plan will be brought before next month's sitting of Tynwald.

You can see the timeline in full here.