Northern Chamber of Commerce calls for delay to December road closures over business impact

As many as eight Mountain Road closures could go ahead in the run up to Christmas

The Northern Chamber of Commerce is urging the Department of Infrastructure to reconsider plans for a series of road closures in December, citing concerns over their impact on businesses in Ramsey and the north of the Island.

The Mountain Road is scheduled to close on 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17 December, with two contingency dates set for 11 and 18 December.

Chair Keith Dalrymple has written an open letter to Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall, calling for the closures to be postponed until the new year when they would have a ‘less detrimental impact’ on the financial and mental well-being of local businesses.

He warns the closures could harm retailers who rely heavily on pre-Christmas trade, accusing the department of failing to consider the ‘Big Picture’ and the consequences for individuals and their livelihoods.

Manx Radio has contacted the Department of Infrastructure for comment.

The Department of Infrastructure has since posted to its Facebook page: