Town Square’s Permanent Winter Vehicle Ban Decision Postponed

The infrastructure minister has stated that further public consultation is necessary before a final determination can be reached regarding the year-round prohibition of vehicles from a specific town square during winter. Nevertheless, Michelle Haywood has directed officials to implement an order for the permanent pedestrianization of Castletown’s Market Square exclusively during the summer period. While the local authority had sought a year-round parking prohibition to foster community gatherings, the recently appointed minister has stipulated that the winter restriction should remain provisional for now. Opponents of pedestrianization during the colder periods expressed that they were “dismayed” by the fact that the square had not been made available again for vehicle parking. In July of the previous year, the Castletown Commissioners submitted an application to the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) for the perpetual closure of the area to traffic throughout the entire year. For the last three years, the square has been inaccessible to vehicles during each summer season. Tony Brown and Richard Ronan, who are former Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) for the constituency, alongside John Cringle, the former chairman of the commissioners, recently arranged a public assembly in the town concerning the closure. Participants at the meeting supported a proposal to petition the DOI for the withdrawal of the traffic order, citing concerns that a decrease in available parking close to local businesses could negatively impact commerce during adverse winter weather conditions. In written communication with Mr. Brown, Haywood stated that the Castletown Commissioners had not yet “provided sufficient evidence of support” for a year-round permanent prohibition. Nevertheless, the minister indicated that the provisional closure this winter would enable the local authority to formulate concepts for the square’s utilization, sustain the public involvement process, and assess “how to balance the needs and wishes of residents and businesses”. She further mentioned that she had encouraged the commissioners to contemplate instances when “they might allow for parking to take place” under the provisional order, particularly when the public space was not being used for scheduled events or activities. Conversely, the campaigners asserted that there was “no logical reason” for the square to stay inaccessible to vehicles until March, and given the absence of planned events for the location at this juncture, it would “now continue to lie empty” throughout the winter. Businesses were “presently suffering loss of business unnecessarily, due to what actually was an unexpected winter closure”. In an official statement, the DOI indicated that a provisional traffic regulation order had been enacted for the winter period to “maintain flexibility” regarding the allowance or restriction of parking and “enabling the board to give the matter more consideration and undertake further assessment of the impact” of a permanent closure during that time. The statement concluded by saying, “Anyone with concerns around the proposals is encouraged to engage constructively with the Commissioners.” It added, “Indeed, if data is available that indicates a detrimental impact on the town’s businesses or footfall, it should be shared with the Commissioners to support this ongoing process.”