Warning as major change to roads impacting over 80,000 Brits pushes ahead – in bid to catch drivers breaking hated rule
THOUSANDS of Brits are set to be impacted by a major change to roads designed to catch them breaking a hated rule.
Locals fear the project has been developed "without a lot of thought given to the greater effects."
A controversial plan to implement 20mph speed limits across an entire region has taken a step forward.
In 2023, The Isle of Man made a promise to improve quality of life and create safer streets for all residents.
In honour of this commitment, in residential areas could be rolled out across residential areas over the next two years.
The Department of Infrastructure, which manages the island's highways maintenance, improvement works and more, has a responsibility to converse with local authorities about plans.
read more in traffic
Despite this, the project has faced significant backlash from residents.
In a bid to halt the Department of Infrastructure's all-island , locals have started a petition and collected over 3,300 signatures.
The petition detailed: "Our island's wellbeing is at stake with the Department of Infrastructure's plan to introduce a universal 20mph limit across our roads.
"The proposed project, while it may seem beneficial for pedestrian safety, has several ignored implications, chiefly amongst them are the increase in congestion and CO2 emissions."
Most read in Motors
According to the petition, "stop-start driving caused by congestion can increase CO2 emissions by as much as 30 per cent".
There are also economic concerns, with petitioners warning that "increased congestion equals increased costs to our economy."
Meanwhile other residents worry that artificially low speed limits could cause an increase in accidents as "drivers get bored and do not pay attention to driving".
The need for lower speeds follows the Government's ambitions outlined in "Our Island Plan" to create safer streets.
But the Department of Infrastructure did reveal that no new traffic calming measures will be introduced under the scheme.
Instead, the focus will be on the installation of new signage, raising public awareness and encouraging compliance through behaviour change.
Port St Mary became the first village on the island to introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit, with new signage already installed on residential roads.
Castletown will see most roads limited to 20mph, though Arbory Street and Malew Street will remain at 10mph, while Queen Street leading to Scarlett Road will be restricted to 20mph.
Port Erin's residential roads will also see the lower speed limit implemented, with emphasis on safety near schools and community spaces.
Douglas, the island's only city, will undergo major changes with longer routes such as the promenade, Summerhill Road and Ballanard Road all falling under the 20mph restrictions.
In Marown, including Crosby and Glen Vine, there will be fewer changes as most estates and small roads are already 20mph zones, with the main A1 remaining at 30mph.
Read More on The Sun
Ramsey will also see 20mph limits in residential areas.
The Isle of Man's Department of Infrastructure has been approached for comment.
