DELAYS caused by a major road scheme in Douglas do not appear as bad as predicted, according to the politician in charge of the highways network.
The £4.3 million scheme to reconstruct the ‘switchback’ Peel Road and improve the Pulrose Road junction got underway on March 11 and is expect to last 76 weeks. First phase of the project involves the strengthening of the former railway bridge on Pulrose Road and the improving the junction and is due to last five weeks.
The main part of the scheme is likely to begin in May when Peel Road between the Quarter Bridge roundabout and Pulrose Bridge will be made one-way, Douglas-bound.
Infrastructure Minister David Cretney said without the traffic lights at the Pulrose Road junction, his own journey into Douglas after negotiating the Quarter Bridge roundabout had actually been quicker than normal.
He accepted there had been longer delays on New Castletown Road from Anagh Coar down to Quarter Bridge on one day.
Mr Cretney said: ‘I’ve had few if anybody complaining. I have seen comments about delays coming from Peel in the first few days. But I hope things are settling down. If people do have problems I would like to hear from them.’
Highways director Richard Pearson said: ‘Work is progressing well. With Pulrose Road closed at present more traffic is being channelled through Quarterbridge. There was some extra congestion on the approaches in the first few days.’ He urged drivers to take alternative routes and allow extra time for their journeys.
