Seeing Red? Traffic Lights Adjusted after Douglas Traffic Chaos

Changes have been made to the timings of several traffic lights in Douglas in an effort to ease the rush-hour chaos that has gripped the capital this week.

Motorists travelling in from the south endured a painfully slow start to the week on Monday, with some commuters reporting journeys into Douglas taking close to two hours after a key route into town was shut.

At one point the queue from Fort North roundabout stretched all the way back to Fairy Bridge.

The disruption is largely down to the closure of Old Castletown Road at White Hoe, where Manx Utilities is carrying out essential maintenance work at the nearby pumping station.

And while the Department of Infrastructure may have paused its 20mph rollout, the gridlock has certainly done a pretty good job of slowing everyone down anyway.

The road is set to remain closed from March 9 to 25 while several manhole covers and associated infrastructure are replaced.

Traffic misery wasn’t limited to Monday morning either.

Drivers heading out of Douglas faced lengthy delays on Monday evening, while on Tuesday morning queues stretched back along the A1 as far as Glen Vine due to congestion around Quarterbridge.

Ongoing roadworks on Braddan Road and Cooil Road have only added to the rush-hour headache.

In response, the DoI says it has adjusted traffic light timings at Anagh Coar, Groves Road, the Pulrose Road junction, Brown Bobby, Lord Street and Quine’s Corner in an attempt to keep vehicles moving.

Meanwhile, Manx Utilities says the work at White Hoe forms part of a wider programme to ensure the island’s wastewater infrastructure remains ‘reliable, resilient and fit for the future’.

Access to White Hoe Industrial Estate is being maintained via Kewaigue Hill Road, while drivers heading into Douglas are being directed through Quarterbridge.

Manx Utilities has thanked residents, businesses and road users for their patience during the works, although many commuters might say their patience has already had a fairly serious stress test this week.