Groves Road Section Near National Sports Centre to Close for Three Months for Drainage Upgrades

A segment of a major thoroughfare in the Isle of Man’s capital is slated for a three-month closure to facilitate drainage works aimed at mitigating flood risks. Groves Road has been closed between the entrance and exit points of the National Sports Centre (NSC) to allow for the installation of new gullies. This initiative follows an assessment that determined the existing drainage infrastructure would be insufficient during extreme weather events. For instance, in April, the NSC had to temporarily close to deploy flood defences after heavy rainfall caused the River Douglas to rise. These protective measures were initially installed at the facility after it experienced severe flooding during a period of intense rain on the island in December 2015. The project, which is scheduled to commence on Thursday and continue until the end of January, will involve excavation and road resurfacing, with Paul Carey and Sons responsible for its execution. Additionally, the project will include the installation of more accessible bus curbs and the refurbishment of the existing road crossing. The Department of Infrastructure has confirmed that vehicular access to all businesses in the vicinity will be maintained, though some diversions are in effect for bus routes serving the southern part of the island. Specifically, bus services traveling from the island’s capital to Port Erin will utilize alternative stops at the Douglas Golf Club and the Springfield Avenue junction, with their routes redirected via Alder Road, Springfield Road, and the Old Castletown Road. Conversely, services from Port Erin to Douglas have been rerouted through Quarterbridge and Peel Road, offering alternative stops at Harcroft Meadows and Peel Road.