Feedback generated during the planning process will be considered for the detailed design of the Douglas promenades scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said the proposals already incorporate a number of measures suggested by residents and business owners during public consultations and exhibitions.

He said any further comments expressed in response to the planning application will be considered during the detailed design phase.

Concerns have been expressed by the visually impaired about the ‘shared spaced’ concept.

Mr Gawne said the DoI has offered to meet representatives from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) UK.

He said he had also outlined the plans for the shared use of the Promenade walkway during a meeting with people campaigning on behalf of leisure users.

Mr Gawne said: ‘The design for the refurbishment of Douglas Promenade has generated a huge amount of public interest. The response has generally been positive.

‘The department has listened carefully to people’s views. Agreeing to the demands of one specific group may be to the detriment of other Promenade users, so we are looking at the bigger picture and seeking to develop an amenity that can be enjoyed by everyone.

‘I am confident this scheme will provide benefits for businesses, motorists, pedestrians and leisure users.’

Douglas seafront has lost some of its ‘magic and sparkle’ and redevelopment provides an opportunity to inject a new lease of life into the ‘magnificent crescent-shaped promenade’.

The Department of Infrastructure has outlined its case for a £21.3m radical transformation of the promenades.

‘It has lost some of the magic and sparkle that drew visitors to the island. It is vital to raise the profile of the gateway to the island after years of decline and deterioration.

‘These proposals will play a critical role in meeting the ambitious vision to create a bold, unique and distinctive Promenade and town centre,’ the DoI states in its planning application (15/00594/B).

Arguing the need for change, it explains that the underlying sub-structure is failing and an ad-hoc programme of temporary repairs is not the solution.

There are also safety concerns around some sections of carriageway as well as the number and nature of accidents, it states, with traffic speeds shown to be at or near the 30mph speed limit.

Pedestrian and on-road cycle facilities are not fit for purpose, the application says, and it is becoming ‘increasingly more difficult to defend the practice of allowing passengers for horse-drawn trams to alight into live traffic’.

In the narrower section between Broadway and Derby Castle the horse trams cause traffic queues because larger vehicles can’t get past.

Original plans to relocated the horse tram tracks on carriageway side of the Marine Gardens on Loch Promenade were abandoned following opposition from hoteliers and town centre traders concerned at the loss of parking spaces.

Under the revised plans, the realigned horse tram track, a single track with one passing place, will share the walkway with pedestrians, cyclists and children with the tram corridor highlighted using a contrasting red-coloured tarmac material.

It will start from the existing terminus at Strathallan Crescent, cross the road before the Summerhill Road junction and then run south, just off the highway, with the passing place near the Empress Hotel before continuing to the War Memorial and then run along the Promenade Walkway on the seaward side of the Marine Gardens before terminating at the TT Café.

The planning application includes photographs of other tramways that share the space with pedestrians - the horse trams in Disneyland, California and the electric street trams in Soller, Majorca.

The gauge and foundations of the new rail tracks will them to be used in future for modern rolling stock or the MER trams, states the application.

One of the more controversial aspects of the application is the concept of a ‘shared space’ street where pedestrians and traffic have equal right of way and existing conventional pedestrian crossings are replaced with ‘courtesy crossings’.

Many road signs and signals will be removed and the scheme designed so that traffic automatically slows down as drivers instinctively understand the road is shared.

Stay up to date with everything that’s going on around the Isle of Man during the 2015 TT Festival with the iomtoday Live News page, including full race schedule and road closure information.

The Live News facility has become an important and valued area to our readers since it was introduced two years ago, particularly during TT and Manx Grand Prix periods.

It offers the chance for us to publish information instantly through Twitter and links to items of interest as they happen, such as road closures and police incidents, as well as island-related images on Instagram, videos on YouTube and much more.

So click the following link and stay up to date with everything that’s going on around the island TT 2015: LIVE NEWS STREAM

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RACE SCHEDULE TT 2015

Saturday, June 6

No racing

Sunday, June 7

2pm RST Superbike: race report

Monday, June 8

1.30pm Sure Sidecar 1: race report

6.30pm Monster Energy Supersport Race 1: race report

Tuesday, June 9

12.15pm RL360 Superstock: race report

Wednesday, June 10

10.45am: SES TT Zero Challenge: race report

Midday: MONSTER ENERGY SUPERSPORT Race 2 (4 laps)

2.15pm: SURE SIDECAR Race 2 (3 laps)

Qualifying: 3.50pm Senior TT (one lap); 4.10pm Lightweight (one lap).

5pm Roads open.

Friday, June 12

Roads close: 9.15am from Barrule Park, Ramsey; 9.30am from Bungalow; 10am rest of Mountain Course.

10.15am: BENNETTS LIGHTWEIGHT/650 (3 laps)

12.30pm: POKERSTARS SENIOR TT (6 laps)

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Practice and race schedules are subject to change. In the event of any postponements, racing will take place on Sunday, June 7 from 1.30pm; Tuesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 11, from 11.30am.

Road information line (01624) 685888.

Eminent Queen’s Counsel Stuart Gale, whose particular specialism lies in town and country planning law and land use, has joined leading Isle of Man-based law and professional services group Cains as a consultant.

His appointment, which took effect from June 1, is seen as a major coup for Cains as it brings back to the Isle of Man a highly experienced and respected senior counsel.

Mr Gale, who was born in Ramsey, left the Isle of Man in 1972 when he went to university and for the past 35 years has practised in Scotland although he made regular visits back.

Mr Gale became a QC in 1993 and has been a senior for more than 20 years.

He has acted in a number of judicial review applications, principally in relation to planning and related land issues, but also in the allocation of public resources, particularly medical and drug treatment.

interest

He has a particular interest in land form and geology and has acted for UK parliamentary promoters of major transportation infrastructure projects, such as the Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill, the Port of Cairnryan Harbour Empowerment Order and more recently for the objectors to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

An expert on the legal and technical implications of offshore incidents, in particular in relation to gas escapes and explosions, Mr Gale has also acted in inquiries and prosecutions for several of the major oil companies operating in the North Sea.

This includes the Ocean Odyssey blow out in 1988 and the Brent Bravo incident in 2005.

planning

Stuart’s arrival at Cains comes at a time when planning dominates Government announcements, which include former Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK becoming the new chairman of the Isle of Man’s planning committee.

Only a week earlier it was revealed that the Department of Economic Development will be leading a new team focused on getting Government working together better to deliver development of some of the major sites across the Isle of Man.

The move comes less than a month after Chief Minister Allan Bell said that planning was out of balance with the needs of the economy.

‘There has always been conflict between planning and economic growth, something one has to deal with, certainly that is the case in Scotland,’ said Mr Gale, whose publications include The Human Factor in Planning Law 2004 SLT 153.

He added: ‘In Scotland and the rest of the UK there is always the difficulty of marrying up development pressures and the conservation aspect, coupled with European legislation which is a difficult and ongoing subject and I am sure the same issues arise in the Isle of Man.

‘While I specialise in planning law, I have also dealt with an array of legal work from criminal prosecutions in the 1990s and more recently have been involved in high profile sexual abuse cases.

‘I also have experience in personal injury claims and arbitration.’

Mr Gale, who has been chairman of the Police Appeals Tribunal Scotland since 2003, added: ‘Over the years I have maintained a close interest in Isle of Man affairs and it is my impression that the Isle of Man now presents as a highly pro-active and well regulated international financial centre.

‘I am therefore delighted to be joining Cains - a firm that is so clearly associated with the provision of high quality legal services.’

Peter Clucas, Cains director, said he is delighted that Stuart has agreed to work with Cains and added: ‘Stuart’s knowledge and experience across a variety of legal subject matters is impressive and he is a welcome addition to Cains’ existing strength and depth within our litigation team.

‘His expertise in matters involving public and administrative law, and in arbitral proceedings in particular.will enhance Cains’ existing offerings in these areas; his knowledge in planning law and procedure allows Cains to offer specialist advice from leading counsel in this area to our existing and new clients alike.’

Andrew Corlett, Cains managing irector, said: ‘I have known Stuart as a friend for over 30 years and it is great to have him return home and join Cains.’

A man pictured by the police in social media and in a news release after stepping onto a closed road has been spared prosecution.

Yesterday, the police put out a plea saying they wanted to contact him after he was seen on Bray Hill, Douglas.

All the island’s news media ran a report about it.

The police thanked the public for helping to trace him.

A statement reads: ‘A number of witnesses have come forward which suggest that the male was not drunk however he did drop a can onto the footpath which rolled onto the road.

‘The male made a split decision to retrieve the can as competitors would be arriving on scene in a matter of seconds. Following a full investigation the Attorney General’s advice was taken and the male has received stern words of advice.

‘The constabulary wish to stress that despite this specific course of action, each incident will be dealt with on its own merits and persons found on closed roads will be dealt with robustly.’

Earlier in the week, a man was jailed for walking on closed roads.

Two other men involved in the same incident were in court yesterday.

They were fined a total of £500 each. A full report from that court appearance will be printed in tomorrow’s Manx Independent.

Yesterday (Tuesday) early evening, firefighters based in Ramsey were sent to investigate a report of smoke in the area of Skye Hill.

A specialist off-road vehicle was used to check the area on the hillside next to the plantation. The cause of the fire is at this time unknown.

The fire service reminded the public to be extra vigilant at this time of year as fires can spread quickly and cause unnecessary damage.

A spokesman said: ‘Small incidents of this nature can have a huge impact on emergency services and events especially at this time of year. Fortunately this did not occur at a time when the roads were closed as it could have caused at worst a red flag situation and delay in racing.’

The Isle of Man International Development Committee has announced additional help to support the people of Nepal.

The committee has agreed to fund two further projects in Nepal focusing on providing support to remote rural areas.

Following the major earthquake in April, remote farming areas continue to be isolated and vulnerable.

Continuing aftershocks make reaching these communities difficult.

he sustainability of these areas is crucial to being able to provide food to nearby towns and villages.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) will receive a £25,000 grant to provide air support for agencies delivering aid in Nepal.

MAF bring expertise in resource management and distribution coordination to deliver much needed aid to the rural communities in Nepal.

The committee has also given £25,000 to Pragya to help send field staff to provide emergency relief supplies and emergency healthcare in isolated areas of Nepal.

As larger charities have targeted the more densely populated areas, the committee recognised the importance and value of smaller agencies such as Pragya in supporting the less high-profile regions of Nepal.

Phil Gawne MHK, chairman of the International Development Committee, said: ‘As the relief effort continues in Nepal, the focus of agencies is now shifting to working across the country to help rebuild vulnerable communities, restore livelihoods, and prepare families for the additional challenges the monsoon season will bring. It is therefore vital that aid reaches these remote farming areas.

‘Funding from the Isle of Man reinforces our commitment to protecting vulnerable people and builds on our reputation as an internationally responsible country.’

In April the International Development Committee allocated £100,000 to support the UK Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal for Nepal.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/manx-cash-pledged-to-help-after-nepal-earthquake-1-7238081|Click here to read the story.}

In tomorrow’s Manx Independent, Phil Gawne defends the use of Manx taxpayers’ money for overseas aid.

Streamlining the government estate is saving millions of pounds.

In recent years the government has sold-off more than £14m of surplus buildings and land and cut annual spending on rentals by £1m, with a further £500,000 targeted for 2015-16.

As well as helping rebalance public finances, the initiative is boosting the Manx economy by releasing space for private sector expansion.

The drive to streamline government’s property portfolio is being led by Treasury’s Strategic Asset Management Unit and Department of Infrastructure, which has responsibility for Estates Shared Services.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘Downsizing of the estate is an important part of the strategy to reduce costs and ensure we are running as effectively as possible.

‘This is a positive example of joined-up government, with departments working together to produce real savings. Efficiencies are being achieved by merging services, relocating staff and consolidating office and storage facilities. This is enabling us to free up prime sites for redevelopment and vacate leased premises.’

The emergency services were called out today to a crash in the Bulgham Bay area.

A car and a motorcycle collided on the road, the coast road between Laxey and Dhoon.

Firefighters from Ramsey were sent because the motorcycle caught fire.

However, by the time they got there, the fire was out.

Crrews made the vehicle safe and cooled the surrounding areas.

The ambulance crews took the motorcylist to hospital for treatment to minor injuries as was a passenger of the car who also sustained minor injuries.

Estate agency and surveying firm, Chrystals has announced the appointment of Joney Kerruish to its board of directors.

Educated at King William’s College and Ramsey Grammar School before studying Urban Estate Management at Liverpool John’s Moore’s University, Joney has since worked in both the UK and on the Isle of Man.

She qualified at Drivers Jonas in Manchester and also worked for five years at Countrywide Surveyors Northamptonshire, where she specialised in residential survey and valuation, including mortgage valuations and homebuyers’ surveys.

Having worked there earlier in her life, Joney returned to Chrystals as a chartered surveyor in 2011.

She brings substantial experience to the new role, which involves responsibility for general practice surveying, overseeing the residential lettings side of the business, and anti-money laundering and compliance.

Joney said: ‘I’ve been involved with Chrystals since a very young age and it is wonderful to now be taking a senior position with the company.

‘I’m really excited by the opportunities that exist for growing our client base, despite the competitive nature of the market.’

She added: ‘I am also particularly keen to make my mark as a business woman in what has traditionally been a male dominated career path.’

Shane Magee, chairman, said: ‘Joney will make an excellent addition to our senior team.

‘The extra responsibility she has taken on has been earned through a long and successful career in the industry and our business will definitely benefit from her appointment as a director.’

Inquests into the death of two motorcycle riders who died on Wednesday, June 3, in separate incidents have opened and adjourned.

TT competitor Franck Petricola, aged 32, from France, died in the vicinity of Sulby Crossroads during a TT practice.

A medical cause of death for Mr Petricola, who was a car mechanic, was given as massive blunt force trauma involving head, thorex and abdomen due to, or as a consequence of a road traffic accident in a TT practice session.

Ralf Zilske, aged 52, died on the Jurby Coast Road, after a head on collision with an oncoming car.

The medical cause of death for Mr Zilske, a painter and decorator, was given as massive blunt force trauma, primarily to the thorax and upper abdomen, due to, or as a consequence of, a road traffic collision.

Tributes have been paid following the death of centenarian Laurence Kermode, the oldest competitor even to win a class in the Guild.

Manxman Mr Kermode, a professional toast master for 50 years and a regular competitor in the Guild, was a born entertainer who loved the limelight.

Last month, he became the oldest person to compete in the Manx Music Festival.

He took to the stage to loud applause for the Folk Song class.

Before singing Cockles and Mussels he told the audience: ‘Silly old fool trying to sing in the Guild. What’s he going to be up to next?!’

He scored 87 in that class, and then went on once again to win the Works of T.E. Brown class.

Laurence, a retired printer for the Isle of Man Times and Isle of Man Examiner, had celebrated his 100th birthday in April with a party at Douglas’s Masonic Hall attended by Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood.

Veteran journalist Terry Cringle said: ‘I’ve known Laurence since I was a young reporter on the Examiner.

‘This was when he was master of ceremonies at grand dinners and social occasions. He was always perfectly dressed and conducted the event with great authority and panache.

‘He loved the limelight. He was multi-talented - he could sing, he could recite and his tremendous accolade at the Guild was being the first 100 year old winner.

‘There was an open invitation to his 100th birthday party. There must have been nearly 300 people there. He lived life to the full. He never seemed to get old.’

Laurence ‘Laurie’ Kermode was born on April 1, 1915, in 62 Malew Street in Castletown, and brought up in Liverpool.

He married Mona Sayle, with whom he had two sons, Nigel and Paul. Mona died in 1985.

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Pay your tribute to Lawrence Kermode by using the comments facility below.

Children at Ballacottier School have recorded a song to raise finds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal.

Year five pupils (ages nine and 10) have recorded their own version of ‘We Are The World’ which has been uploaded onto SoundCloud and are now asking for donations.

In the short time it has been online, it has raised more than £130.

Music teacher and talented musician Katie Lawrence, who plays the piano as the backing track, explained: ‘They have been learning about the natural environment.

‘As part of that they have been learning about natural disasters. I was trying to plan into music lessons what they have been doing and found a song released for the Haiti earthquake.’

We are the World, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, was originally recorded by USA for Africa in 1985.

In 2010, a host of artists including Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and Nicole Scherzinger recorded a new version following a devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Katie said: ‘The year fives [aged nine and 10] have practised the song a lot and have put a lot of effort into learning it.

‘They had fun. We had a couple of lessons looking at different elements such as where best to place the microphone.

‘They are happy to be helping out. It might not get lots of donations but any little bit they can do to help can make a difference.’

The year five pupils have now moved on to composing rap. They’re making drum tracks using Garage Band which will form the basis for their songs.

April’s 7.8-magnitude quake killed more than 8,000 people andseverely impacted upon the lives of at least eight million people.

Nepal’s major cities, including the capital Kathmandu, were badly damaged and rural areas near the epicentre were cut off.

Donations can be made on their JustGiving page, https://www.justgiving.com/ballacottierschool

The page also has a link to the song on SoundCloud.

A TT late night opening takes place at the Manx Museum tonight (Thursday).

The Douglas museum, which is free to enter, will be open until 9pm.

Attractions include a number of bike displays: John McGuinness’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Mike Hailwood’s 1979 Senior TT winning Heron Suzuki, Frank Whiteway’s 1970 production TT winning Suzuki, Carl Fogarty’s Loctite Yamaha 0W01 and the National Motorcycle Museum’s ex works Norton NRS588 that Steve Hislop raced memorably over six enthralling laps in the 1992 Senior TT in what is widely recognised as the greatest TT race of all time.

The Bay Room Cafe will be offering TT specials including Loaghtan lamb stew and Manx kipper pate.

Planners have approved an application by Douglas Council for the former Topshop site to be used as a library.

The council is looking to relocate the Henry Bloom Noble Library from its current location in Victoria Street, Douglas.

An application (15/00466/C) to change the use of the retail site on the corner of Duke Street and Lord Street, owned by the Manx Co-Operative Ltd was approved.

John Skinner, chairman of the council’s regeneration and community committee, has said the aim of the move from its current rented location was to reduce the burden on ratepayers.

It is hoped that the move will be completed by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, planners approved Ashford Limited’s bid to convert the site’s retail space to a Chinese restaurant in March.

Topshop and Topman had long made its home in Duke Street, but had to close temporarily in 2010 after a fire in the offices above caused smoke damage. It moved to a new purpose-built store in Strand Street in July 2013.

The Claremont Hotel has become the island’s first and only hotel to gain the prestigious Gold Award, granted by Quality in Tourism, the assessing body for VisitEngland.

The leading Douglas hotel has held the silver award for around five years, but the upgrade to gold has once again set a new standard for island hotels.

In addition to this top-tier rating, the Claremont has also been awarded a prestigious VisitEngland Breakfast Award.

successes

These accolades follow a series of recent successes for the Douglas based hotel,

These include being listed in the Michelin Guide for Hotels and Restaurants 2015, being named as the Isle of Man’s leading hotel at the annual World Travel Awards, winning a UK Hotel award for interior design, and gaining a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Mark Wilson, managing director of Sleepwell Hotels, said: ‘The hotel’s Quality in Tourism assessment is a result of the culture among our staff of ‘excellence comes as standard’.

‘Every person here recognises the importance of taking personal responsibility for leaving our guests with a positive and memorable experience, and the impact this has for the island as a whole.

‘The test now is to maintain this level of all round service delivery as a minimum standard and I have every confidence in the ability of our excellent team here to deliver just that.

‘I am very proud of every one of our team and would like to offer a huge well done to all involved.’

Director of Tourism and the Visitor Economy for the Isle of Man Government, Robin Bischert, said: ‘I am delighted to be able to congratulate Mark, Ricardo and the whole team at the Claremont Hotel on being awarded their Four Star Gold status.

‘At Isle of Man Tourism we are fully aware of the amount of hard work and dedication it takes to achieve this accolade, which serves as a true reflection of outstanding levels of quality and service.

‘It is particularly significant as this is the first and only Gold Award achieved by a hotel in the island.’

Claremont staff pictured left to right, Ricardo Campos, Iva Kuzmanova, Sylvia Fratczak, Kaye Harvey, Daniela Kraleva, Andrew Colson, Maria Danby, Alan Mclaughlin, Michelle De Lima, Damian Fratczak

Civilian detention officers could look after prisoners in police cells and private investigating officers hired in to assist with inquiries.

These are among some of the radical plans being proposed to reduce costs at the budget-squeezed Isle of Man Constabulary.

Public feedback is being invited on the Police (Amendment) Bill 2015 which would allow the Department of Home Affairs to contract out certain functions currently delivered by the police.

The Constabulary said it would be inappropriate to comment while the six-week consultation is under way.

But the consultation paper indicates some areas which may be considered for contracting out.

It states: ‘The initial view is that functions currently performed by constables in the Custody Suite could be contracted out. Other functions that may be assigned under contract could include investigating officers, road safety and miscellaneous support duties.’

It is understood any functions that don’t require the use of warranted powers could be considered for contracting out.

The consultation explains that as a matter of ‘financial inevitability’, it will be necessary to either reduce services, or find other ways of proving key services essential to maintaining public safety.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson says in his foreword: ‘Firstly, the financial climate is such that we must determine which services are essential and which are not, and can therefore be dispensed with.

‘Secondly, if the consensus is that certain functions of the Constabulary are essential, could they be performed in a different manner or by other people? What is certain is that resources are finite and the Constabulary must continue to adapt and change if it is to meet the demands of the 21st century.’

The consultation points out that certain police functions are performed very successfully in a different way in other Forces and cites the example of Lincolnshire Constabulary.

There the Force saved £5m from its annual budget by bringing in private security firm G4S to take over support services, including the control room and custody suite.

The chairman of the Manx Labour Party has criticised a lack of consultation by Douglas Council over its decision to charge disabled badge holders for using its car parks.

David Cretney MLC has written to the local authority to establish why no consultation was carried out with users or representative groups.

He wrote: ‘Some people with a disability work full time and as such can afford the costs. However, it must be accepted that this does not apply to all and this introduction will be a burden to some. Consultation may have identified this.’

Douglas Council announced last week that, from June 1, it was ending free parking for disabled badge holders at its car parks including the Chester Street and Drumgold Street pay and display multi-storeys which it has just taken over from the government.

Council leader David Christian pointed out that Douglas was not alone in the British Isles in introducing charges for disabled parking – but accepted there should have been more publicity about the changes in advance.

Disabled residents have contacted iomtoday, saying the charges would deter them from going into town to shop.

One, who didn’t wish to give her name, said she shopped once a week in Marks & Spencer and it could take her two hours to get around,

‘I don’t think Douglas Council have taken into account that it takes a disabled person like myself and many others much, much longer to do their shopping,’ she said.

‘If you’ve got to pay we are going to be a lot of money out – and a lot of us live only on a pension. This decision is very short-sighted. It will keep people out of town. I might only go in once a month now. The first two hours of disabled parking should be free.’

In an email to Mr Cretney, Theresa Saxon, democratic services officer at Douglas Council, confirmed there had been no formal or informal consultation carried out prior to the decision being made by the elected members of the council.

She told him: ‘Council research has shown there was some abuse of disabled spaces in that a considerable number of vehicles were being parked in the spaces for days at a time and in some instances, more than a week. This was, of course seriously disadvantaging other disabled permit users utilising the spaces for work, leisure and shopping purposes.

‘I am advised that the decision to introduce charges for disabled badge holders at the council’s car parks was taken reluctantly by the council as a result of increasing costs in managing car parking facilities.’

She said that in the current financial environment the council is faced with ensuring services such as car parking support themselves financially.

‘Even with the introduction of Chester Street and Drumgold Street car parks alongside the Bottleneck, Shaw’s Brow and King George V, economies of scale can only generate a limited efficiency,’ she added.

‘Disabled spaces are still provided in the car parks; so the most important criteria, that of disabled people being provided with available, accessible spaces, is still catered for.

‘Moreover, the council intends to improve certain aspects of the enforcement of the car parks to ensure the turnover of spaces happens optimally and that spaces, including disabled spaces, are not abused.’

A motorcyclist is in hospital in the UK after sustaining serious injuries after a crash on the Mountain Road last night.

It happened at about 7.20pm between Joey’s (the 26th Milestone) and the Guthrie’s Memorial.

He was riding a blue Triumph motorcycle.

Detective Inspector Mark Newey said: ‘If there are any motorists who witnessed the incident that have not already provided their details to the police, I would ask them to contact the police on 631212.

‘Similarly, if anyone has captured the incident on a camera, I would like them to let the police know so we can piece together what happened.

‘The injured male rider has been flown to the UK for further treatment and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.’

TT organisers have released condition checks for yesterday’s injured riders.

Michael Sweeney was taken by airmed to Noble’s Hospital following an accident at Ramsey Hairpin. He is reported to be comfortable but with back pain.

Sidecar passenger Jake Lowther was reported to have a back injury following an accident at Handley’s.

He was transferred by airmed and is now in Noble’s where he is described as comfortable. Driver John Lowther was OK in the incident.

Sidecar crew Mark Saunders and Marc Maier were involved in an incident at Laurel Bank.

Both were taken by airmed to Noble’s. Saunders is described as OK while Maier has a hip injury but is expected to be discharged shortly.

Sidecar crew Dwight and Noel Beare hit the bales at the Waterworks but both are OK.