Department supports closure of square to vehicles

Market Square has been closed to vehicles during the summer months

A move to pedestrianise a town square in the south of the Isle of Man has been recommended for approval by the infrastructure department.

First trialled in 2017, the closure Market Square in Castletown to vehicles during the summer months was designed to boost footfall through community events.

Last November, Castletown Commissioners voted in favour of banning cars all year round, and applied to the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) for a traffic order.

The DOI said while the order had been recommended for approval, it was still awaiting ministerial sign off, which was expected this week.

Design specialist

Commissioner Beth Cannan, who proposed the move last year, told a meeting of the local authority the proposal had "received support" from the Department of Infrastructure, but the authority would need to wait "a little longer for the minister's decision".

She has previously said that if approval is granted, the authority plans to engage an urban design specialist to install permanent features such as street furniture, seating and greenery.

In the public meeting, board member Colin Leather said he had visited 16 of the businesses in the town and asked them if they were for or against the move.

While 11 were in favour of pedestrianisation, four were against the decision, while one shop owner was neither.

He said those who did not support the move argued it would make it difficult for customers to quickly pick things up, but others said it had no effect on their business and improved the locality.