Roundhouse access road to be ready by Christmas

The Roundhouse community hub opened in March after delays and access disputes

A local authority on the Isle of Man has confirmed that works on an access road to its new Roundhouse community centre will be completed by Christmas.

Braddan Commissioners needed £230,000 to provide the access road, which was funded from a 36% rate rise and the sale of old offices.

Chair Andrew Jessop also confirmed that a contractor had been appointed to build the pedestrian crossing, which was a condition of planning approval.

The £10m Roundhouse project was marred by disputes with the health department over the need for an access road, due to concerns over traffic near the Noble’s Hospital estate.

Temporary traffic lights have been in place since the centre opened in March, paid for by the local authority at a cost of £2,500 per month.

The cost of the permanent crossing and lights is estimated to be between £50,000-£60,000.

Without the temporary lights and new crossing to meet planning permission conditions, the Roundhouse project would not have been able to go ahead.

'A bad taste in the mouth'

Mr Jessop said: “I suppose on one level the road gives us control over our own access, so it removes the possibility of any disputes in the future."

Mr Jessop continued: “We’re still hoping that we might be able sit down with whoever becomes the new health minister and have a sensible conversation about the additional cost that the department’s actions have created for Braddan ratepayers.

"We’re looking at a cost of the best part of a quarter of a million pounds, to build a short stretch of roadway, which seems absolutely ridiculous," he added.

Previously, the Department for Health and Social Care said the decision to stop road access via private hospital roads was down to the "safety of service users".