With roadworks under way and more to come, Port Erin will have ‘two winters of disruption’ warned commissioners’ chairman Lorna MacKellar.
The roadworks began last November and are causing problems for traders because they are dissuading shoppers.
Commissioner Steve George, who is also chairman of Port Erin Traders, said: ‘The eight-week delay is because when they dug up the road they found an antiquated Victorian water main.’
However, since complaints were made to the Department of Infrastructure about slow progress he said improvements were apparent. ‘They are moving quickly. They will finish to Milner’s Park by the end of March and then move on between there and the roundabout [at the Four Roads] and stop for TT week then start again ... I think they will be finished in July.’
Ms MacKellar said: ‘In September they will be starting [regeneration work] on the station, there will also be disruption for that, then they will be doing the road and pavement. We will have had two winters of disruption.’
She added they gave the department permission for their work vehicles to park in the authority’s car park, but now the tourist season is approaching they will need spaces.
Commissioner Phil Crellin asked when the contractor doing regeneration work on the pavement in Strand Road was going to free up the car park in Shore Road.
Clerk Jason Roberts said people have asked where those staying in holiday lets are going to park.
Mr Crellin proposed they request of the contractor that the car park to be returned to the authority before Easter.