Latest news with #MichelleHaywood


BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Opportunity to comment on Douglas and Onchan 20mph proposals
Detailed plans for the latest round of a scheme to introduce lower speed limits in residential areas have been put out for consultation. The move, brought forward by the Department of Infrastructure, will see the 20mph (32km) limits implemented in built up areas across the island over the next 18 living in Douglas and Onchan have been given until 4 July to submit feedback on the proposals for those areas ahead of the continuation of the Minister Michelle Haywood said her department was not to asking "whether there would be reduced speed limits, but which roads should be included". Last month Tynwald approved the Department of Infrastructure's plan for the scheme, which outlined increased public involvement and how the project would be put in said her department was "probably running one of the biggest consultation exercises that has ever been done", as the team aimed to engage with every local authority area over the coming months. 'Local knowledge' Maps have been made available to view at Onchan Commissioners' office, Onchan Library, Douglas City Hall, Douglas City Library and the Sea detailed maps have also been made available in an online portal, which allows people to leave feedback by selecting the road they wish to comment can also be sent by email to the traffic regulation order said Tynwald members had now approved the move three times, meaning she now needed to "deliver something that is the best for each residential area". "Our proposals are there, and they can contract or expand depending on local knowledge," she said while the department's engineers knew "what the road looks like in terms of highway designs", local residents were best place to comment on "how people use the road and how the traffic flows through the area".Roads near schools, hospitals and care homes, along with places "where we know there is an increased probability of people who are vulnerable", would be prioritised under the scheme, Haywood the department had gathered views and adjusted the proposals accordingly, the department would "feel we have the green light" to implement the reduced speed limits, she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.


BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Plans to lower some speed limits to 20mph approved by Tynwald
A plan to introduce lower speed limits in some residential areas has been given political 20mph (32km/h) zones have already been put in place in Port St Mary, with Douglas and Onchan next scheduled for the implementation of the scheme had faced criticism from some politicians, who said there had been a lack of consultation with local Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said she was committed to an "expanded consultation" period in each area with a minimum of six weeks of local engagement. That commitment was cemented by an amendment by Ann Corlett, which included local consultation, the prioritisation of the lower speed limit around schools and clearer maps of the members also approved the monitoring of the new speed limits, with a review of the measures being published once implemented. 'Divisive' Haywood previously confirmed the implementation would be phased by region following local Rob Callister MHK said the minister had £400,000 to spend on implementing the zones in the "wrong places".He said although there were areas in Onchan that "might benefit" from lower speed limits or traffic-calming measures, those changes "should only occur through full engagement with the community, local authorities, and local Edge MHK said there was "still a lot of confusion" about what was going to happen. But MLC Gary Clueitt said it was an "operational plan" which seemed "reasonable".Corlett said that the principle of reduced speed limits around schools and in residential areas had been unanimously approved by members twice, but the "difficulty was in the where and the how", which had remained "divisive".Haywood told Tynwald final decisions would "only be made after local engagement" and mapping had been updated to make the proposals "clearer".She said the measure would enable residents to "enjoy the streets in which they live more" and reduce the risk of serious pedestrian infrastructure department's approach was "proportionate, evidence-led, and reflects the financial and operational realities we face", she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Highway code to be brought up to date in autumn
"Long overdue" updates to the Manx Highway Code are expected to be published in the autumn, the infrastructure department has confirmed. It will adopt guidance and rules from the UK's Highway Code revised in 2022, with "Manx modifications" which include advice on sharing roads with horse trams. Changes will give pedestrians greater priority over cars at junctions and introduces a "hierarchy of road users", putting more responsibility for road safety on motorists. Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said the code, which was last updated in 2014, involved a "cultural change" away from harm reduction and towards "safer roads in general". The details of the changes were revealed in response to a question for written answer put forward by Chris Thomas MHK. Under the new code, drivers will be encouraged to open their door with their left hand when exiting the vehicle, so that they have better visibility behind them. When overtaking, they would need to give cyclists at least 5ft (1.5m) and at least 6.5ft (2m) for people walking in a road with no pavements. The overhaul includes guidance for the positioning of cyclists on the road and behaviour when riding in groups. It also states cyclists should give way to pedestrians and horse riders on shared paths and bridleways but can overtake slow moving traffic on the left or the right, with appropriate care. Pedestrians crossing at side roads would have the right of way over vehicles or cyclists and the "hierarchy of road users" would ensure those driving vehicles have a responsibility for "more vulnerable road users". Haywood said the changes would need a "shift in mindset", which may "take a little while for people to bed in with". But the update was "really about focusing on road safety for the most vulnerable users", she said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Manx Highway Code to be reviewed after UK changes Walking and biking prioritised in new Highway Code Isle of Man Government - Department of Infrastructure
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Highway code to be brought up to date in autumn
"Long overdue" updates to the Manx Highway Code are expected to be published in the autumn, the infrastructure department has confirmed. It will adopt guidance and rules from the UK's Highway Code revised in 2022, with "Manx modifications" which include advice on sharing roads with horse trams. Changes will give pedestrians greater priority over cars at junctions and introduces a "hierarchy of road users", putting more responsibility for road safety on motorists. Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said the code, which was last updated in 2014, involved a "cultural change" away from harm reduction and towards "safer roads in general". The details of the changes were revealed in response to a question for written answer put forward by Chris Thomas MHK. Under the new code, drivers will be encouraged to open their door with their left hand when exiting the vehicle, so that they have better visibility behind them. When overtaking, they would need to give cyclists at least 5ft (1.5m) and at least 6.5ft (2m) for people walking in a road with no pavements. The overhaul includes guidance for the positioning of cyclists on the road and behaviour when riding in groups. It also states cyclists should give way to pedestrians and horse riders on shared paths and bridleways but can overtake slow moving traffic on the left or the right, with appropriate care. Pedestrians crossing at side roads would have the right of way over vehicles or cyclists and the "hierarchy of road users" would ensure those driving vehicles have a responsibility for "more vulnerable road users". Haywood said the changes would need a "shift in mindset", which may "take a little while for people to bed in with". But the update was "really about focusing on road safety for the most vulnerable users", she said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Manx Highway Code to be reviewed after UK changes Walking and biking prioritised in new Highway Code Isle of Man Government - Department of Infrastructure


BBC News
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
isle of Man highway code to be brought up to date in autumn
"Long overdue" updates to the Manx Highway Code are expected to be published in the autumn, the infrastructure department has will adopt guidance and rules from the UK's Highway Code revised in 2022, with "Manx modifications" which include advice on sharing roads with horse will give pedestrians greater priority over cars at junctions and introduces a "hierarchy of road users", putting more responsibility for road safety on Minister Michelle Haywood said the code, which was last updated in 2014, involved a "cultural change" away from harm reduction and towards "safer roads in general". The details of the changes were revealed in response to a question for written answer put forward by Chris Thomas the new code, drivers will be encouraged to open their door with their left hand when exiting the vehicle, so that they have better visibility behind overtaking, they would need to give cyclists at least 5ft (1.5m) and at least 6.5ft (2m) for people walking in a road with no pavements. 'Shift in mindset' The overhaul includes guidance for the positioning of cyclists on the road and behaviour when riding in also states cyclists should give way to pedestrians and horse riders on shared paths and bridleways but can overtake slow moving traffic on the left or the right, with appropriate crossing at side roads would have the right of way over vehicles or cyclists and the "hierarchy of road users" would ensure those driving vehicles have a responsibility for "more vulnerable road users".Haywood said the changes would need a "shift in mindset", which may "take a little while for people to bed in with".But the update was "really about focusing on road safety for the most vulnerable users", she said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.