Five-week closure of Mountain Road begins

The works are scheduled to continue until 17 October

A five-week closure of the southern end of the Isle of Man's Mountain Road for a resurfacing and drainage works scheme is underway.

The A18, which connects the Manx capital with the north, was shut between Brandywell and Creg Ny Baa corner from 09:30 BST.

The roadworks on the route will see the installation of two culverts to improve drainage, and resurfacing to give vehicles improved grip.

Originally scheduled for the spring, the project was delayed after the Department of Infrastructure's asphalt plant was temporarily put out of action by a fault.

The department said the Creg ny Baa Hotel would remain accessible from Douglas and the Creg ny Baa Back Road throughout the period.

Meanwhile, the Victory Café, Snaefell Summit Café and Snaefell Mountain Railway could be reached from Ramsey, and the Tholt y Will and Beinn y Phott roads.

The northern section of the route from Ramsey to the Bungalow was closed on 8 and 9 September to allow for the removal of racing equipment following the Manx Grand Prix.

Equipment, including signage and barriers, that remained along the southern section would be removed during the five-week closure, the department said.

In addition, the northern section of the route is set to shut on 21 September, from 12:00 until 17:00, for the Scenic Car Tour event.

Work on alternative routes between Douglas and the north has been minimised for the duration of the scheme to avoid further disruption, the department has confirmed.