Latest news with #residentialareas
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.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Warning over rule change to hated 20mph speed limits that will impact over 30,000 UK drivers
MOTOROISTS have been warned over a coming rule change that will impact 30,000 drivers. The proposed change to introduce lower speed limits in some residential areas has been given political backing. 2 Hated 20mph speed limits have already been put in place in Port St Mary, the Isle of Man. Other roads on in the island's residential areas are soon to follow with further limits being introduced. It is expected that 30,000 motorists will be impacted by the rule changes. Some politicians criticised the scheme saying there had been a lack of consultation with local representatives. Despite this, political backing for the new speed limits was given and the scheme will go ahead. Further 20mph limits are expected to be introduced in Douglas and Onchan on the Isle of Man. The new lower speed limits are being prioritised around schools. The rollout of the rule change will come in phases with different areas being addressed over time. The department of infrastructure aims to roll out extensive 20mph zones across the Island's capital. Plans for the implementation of the new rules were controversial, facing opposition and criticism. Opposition to the scheme argued that changes should only be implemented after extensive through engagement with the community. The proposed changes would see a large portion of the small island's capital affected by the reduced limits. Tens of thousands of drivers would be impacted by the controversial plans. Being rolled out in the capital at first, the scheme will reportedly come to all residential towns and villages across the island eventually. The scheme is reportedly going to cost £400,000 over three financial years. New signs will be put up to indicate where the controversial 20mph limits have been introduced. The new limits are to be monitored, with a review of the measure expected after implementation. Communities are still able to express their views on the controversial plans. The period of time offered to communities to give comments on the plans was extended earlier this month.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- CTV News
Mattawa driver charged for ‘excessive speed': OPP
A recent survey confirmed what police in Timmins say they already knew: too many people are speeding in residential areas.
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.
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Bird droppings are not as innocuous as we think — Wong Soo Kan
MAY 8 — It is delightful to listen to the tweeting and chirping of birds in the morning. People even spend time seeking, watching, and photographing birds in their natural habitats. Though birds are delightful in the wild, it is best to keep them at bay. A bird dropping can shatter our delight. A bird dropping is a mixture of the bird's waste products, both digestive and urinary. Birds poop whenever they take flight to save the energy of carrying waste material with them. Birds and their droppings can cause a variety of health risks, some of which are potentially deadly. The pathogens present in bird droppings, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, can cause mild to severe illnesses in humans. The droppings can also cause substantial property damage. Birds may seem harmless enough, but a deeper dive into the health risks associated with their droppings is rather alarming. Birds have been associated with many diseases. These diseases are most concerning in residential areas, where birds gather in large flocks and can be difficult to deter. The diseases spread by their droppings can become airborne when dried, transferring to humans just by being in the same vicinity as the droppings. The health risks of bird droppings are not the only concern. Bird droppings can cause extensive damage to properties. Much of this damage is due to the uric acid in bird droppings, which has a pH level of around 3.5 to 4. This acidity can eat through various types of building materials, including cement roofing, creating leaks. Additionally, nests built by birds are a huge problem. Birds utilize a wide variety of materials to build their nests, including twigs, dried grass, leaves, moss, and feathers. Nests built under roofs can become a fire hazard, clog gutters or drainage pipes, and even block ventilation. It is also worth mentioning the damage bird droppings can do to cars. As bird droppings are acidic, they can etch the surface of a car's clear coat. Prolonged exposure to bird droppings can erode the paint and cause permanent damage. This happens when the bird droppings dry up, leaving an imprint that distorts the texture of the underlying finish. The longer bird droppings stay on the car, the more damage they can cause. They must be cleaned as soon as possible. Generally, bird droppings can be categorized into three main colours: white, green, and brown. White droppings primarily contain uric acid, indicating the high-protein diet of birds. Green droppings suggest herbivorous species consuming plant matter. Brown droppings come from birds that consume seeds. Bird droppings can be a safety issue. Wet droppings can be slippery, causing slips, trips, and falls for employees or customers. In a worst-case scenario, a fall at your property could result in a lawsuit and a subsequent expensive settlement. When it comes to cleaning bird droppings, personal protection is crucial. For starters, it is essential to wear protective gear, including gloves and a mask, to prevent exposure to potentially harmful airborne pathogens. People with lung or other health conditions should avoid dried bird droppings as much as possible. When large quantities of dried bird droppings are disrupted, the dust becomes airborne and causes irritation in the bronchial passages. Generally, most people treat birds as treasured and protected creatures. But that does not mean we have to tolerate them invading our houses or properties. From spreading diseases to damaging infrastructure, the seemingly innocuous act of birds relieving themselves can pose significant dangers to both human health and the ecosystem at large. • This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
