Onchan’s 20mph Pole Christened ‘Haywood’s Folly’

You might remember a few weeks back when Rob Callister MHK for Onchan raised a bit of an eyebrow (and possibly his blood pressure) over a brand-new 20mph traffic sign pole plonked slap bang in the middle of a pavement.

Not just slightly in the way, but perfectly positioned to ruin the day of anyone in a wheelchair, pushing a pram, or trying to walk in a straight line without playing pavement limbo.

DoI Minister Dr Michelle Haywood even publicly confirmed the post was ‘positioned incorrectly’ and promised it would be removed. Hurrah! Problem solved.

Except… not quite.

Instead of being moved, the post has now been lovingly tarmacked into place.

Not shifted. Not re-positioned. Just given a warm, bitumen hug right where it already was.

And now the saga has taken a delicious turn.

Sharp-eyed Frank Schuengel spotted that someone’s given the post a bit of a comedic rebrand.

Written underneath it, on the tarmac, are the immortal words: ‘Haywood’s Folly’.

Yes, Onchan’s most controversial lump of metal now has an unofficial title, which will no doubt feature in future village walking tours.

Public consultation on the 20mph scheme is still trundling on, but this little bit of street art has the Manx giggling.

Whether it stays or not is anyone’s guess, but for now, ‘Haywood’s Folly’ stands tall and proud in the middle of the pavement.