Statement from the Outgoing Board of Castletown Town Commissioners
Re: Reopening of Market Square and Highway Safety Responsibilities
April 2025
As the outgoing Board of Castletown Town Commissioners, we wish to formally place on record our position regarding the proposed reopening of Market Square to vehicular traffic during the winter months (October to February).
Following a detailed pedestrianisation review undertaken by Pegasus Safety Consulting in April 2025, a number of serious health and safety risks have been identified in relation to potential conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, particularly affecting vulnerable groups including children, older residents, and individuals with limited mobility.
The review highlights several key concerns:
-
A lack of clear delineation between pedestrian and vehicular zones.
-
Inadequate and non-compliant disabled parking provision.
-
The presence of an older population with increased susceptibility to injury from even minor incidents.
-
A general absence of sufficient traffic-calming measures, signage, and accessible design to support safe coexistence of vehicles and pedestrians.
It is the unanimous view of the outgoing Board that, should Market Square be reopened to vehicles as is intended, the Department of Infrastructure, as the Highway Authority, must take full responsibility for ensuring that the Square is operated in a manner that is safe, accessible, and compliant with the Isle of Man Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2019–2029 and the Safe System Approach it endorses.
Furthermore, the Board wishes to make clear that the Commissioners do not accept any liability for incidents arising from the Department’s decision to reopen the highway, nor from any failure to adequately design or manage the space to mitigate the risks clearly identified in the commissioned safety report.
We encourage continued collaboration between the incoming Board, the Department, and the local community to ensure that Market Square continues to serve as a safe, inclusive, and vibrant public space for all.
Castletown Town Commissioners