Section of Mountain Road to stay closed for longer

A section of the road has been closed since 15 September for the works

Refurbishment works on a section of the main route between the Isle of Man's capital and the north of the island are set to take longer than expected.

The A18 Mountain Road was closed from Brandywell to the Creg Ny Baa in mid-September for a five-week drainage and resurfacing project and was due to reopen on Monday.

But the Department of Infrastructure said line painting and reflective stud installation would not be completed over the weekend because of "logistical constraints".

It said those "safety features" needed to be in place before traffic could "safely return" to the road, and it would now reopen no later than 18:00 BST on 23 October.

The department said while "the full extension may not be required", the timeframe allowed for potential weather delays "as line marking and road stud installation require dry conditions".

The improvements, which have focused on the area between Keppel Gate and Kate's Cottage, include the installation of two water culverts, the raising of roadside water channels and resurfacing.

Businesses situated on the A18 remained accessible at either end of the closure, and the Mountain Railway would continue to operate during the closure, the department said.

The project was originally planned to be carried out in April, but was postponed after a breakdown at the department's asphalt plant.