Douglas Gridlock Grumbles On

Motorists say getting in and out of Douglas at rush hour is still a bit of a nightmare, despite attempts to tweak traffic lights earlier this week.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) changed signal timings on Monday at several busy junctions including Anagh Coar, Groves Road, Pulrose Road, Brown Bobby, Lord Street and Quine’s Corner to try and ease congestion caused by roadworks.

But some islanders say it hasn’t made much difference.

One reader told us their usual commute from Peel to Douglas took almost an hour on Thursday morning, normally it’s around half that.

Others said they were late for work despite leaving early, feeling frustrated in queues.

Traffic has been backing up along the A1 Peel Road towards Quarterbridge and Braddan Bridge all week, with queues reportedly stretching back to Glen Vine at times.

Meanwhile on Monday, motorists travelling from the south of the island also faced lengthy delays earlier in the week after the closure of a key route into town.

At one stage on Monday, the tailback from Fort North Roundabout stretched back as far as Fairy Bridge.

The hold-ups come as Manx Utilities carries out essential work at White Hoe, forcing the closure of Old Castletown Road.

Ongoing works at Braddan Road and Cooil Road have also added to delays during rush hour.

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure said: ‘The DoI has made changes to the timings on the traffic lights at Anagh Coar, Groves Road, Pulrose Road junction, Brown Bobby, Lord Street and Quine’s Corner to try to mitigate the increases in traffic volumes caused by the closure.’

Meanwhile, Manx Utilities said the work taking place at White Hoe forms part of an ongoing programme to ensure the island’s wastewater infrastructure remains ‘reliable, resilient and fit for the future’.

Access to the White Hoe Industrial Estate is being maintained via Kewaigue Hill Road, while access into Douglas is being directed via Quarterbridge.

A spokesperson for Manx Utilities apologised for the disruption caused and explained the complexity of the work.

They said: ‘Manx Utilities is carrying out essential maintenance at White Hoe to replace a large access cover located above an underground chamber measuring approximately 6m long, 2.5m wide and 3m deep.

‘This chamber contains key valves for the wastewater main running from Douglas to Meary Veg.

‘Because of the chamber’s size, depth and position within the roadway, the access cover must be removed and reinstated in multiple precisely aligned sections, with time required for new concrete to cure without vibration.

‘A full road closure is essential because the installation must take place in a completely controlled, vibration-free environment.

‘Even minor traffic movements would transmit vibrations through the carriageway, increasing the risk of misalignment during the precise reinstatement process and undermining the long-term integrity of the structure.

‘A temporary working platform has been installed within the chamber to facilitate safe working at depth.

‘While the road is closed, three additional manhole covers are being replaced on behalf of the DoI.

‘This work has been intentionally scheduled now to eliminate the need for further disruptive closures in this area at a later date, ensuring the wider reinstatement is completed efficiently and with minimal future impact.’

And with the bus strike set to continue tomorrow (Friday), the island’s rush-hour traffic might not be getting any quieter just yet.