Reinstatement of TT footbridge to be revisited

Built in the 1980s, the bridge was used by pedestrians during race periods

The decision not to replace a footbridge over the TT course will be revisited after calls for it to be reinstated, the infrastructure minister has said.

The bridge, which was positioned over Glencrutchery Road, between Douglas Cemetery and Nobles Park, was closed following a structural inspection in 2019.

Minister Tim Crookall said the enterprise department had indicated it did not need the bridge during racing periods and there was “limited scope" for other usage.

But Mr Croookall said he was willing to reopen conversations interested parties, including Douglas Council, but who would pay for its reinstatement remained "a question that needs answering”.

The bridge over Glencrutchery Road had been in place for more than 35 years

In Tynwald on Tuesday David Ashford MHK asked why there had been “no appetite” for its restoration.

He argued the footbridge had been “really well used by nearby residents” and those who chose to access the cemetery during race periods.

Julie Edge MHK also highlighted that the access point, originally funded by Douglas ratepayers, was introduced so that students at University College Isle of Man had “safe access for exams during TT”.

In response, Mr Crookall said he understood Ms Edge’s point but there was a footbridge “200m down the road" at the Bray Hill junction.

However, Mr Ashford argued that alternative was “quite a walk, particularly for elderly people”.

Mr Crookall said, while he was "happy" to have further discussions over the matter, ultimately "who would pay the bill" for it would need to be decided.

Previous cost estimates for a replacement stood at more than £1m.