The route is closed between the Hairpin and Bungalow today and is due to be shut for several hours tomorrow to allow a crew from the Discovery Channel to film.

The show is presented by Red Dwarf and Brittas Empire star Chris Barrie, whose website gives a flavour of the programme's content.

It says the title Massive Speed makes it 'fairly clear about the kind of machinery we will be dealing with this time – we should be filming some pretty exciting kit'.

The high-speed footage is being filmed as the DoT begins its latest round of consultation on the controversial issue of a 60mph national speed limit.

It is just days since the Mountain Road reopened after extensive work on Windy Corner, intended to make the accident blackspot safer.

Asked if there was some irony in the road being closed to improve road safety only for it to be shut again for a TV show glorifying speed, DoT highways director Bruce Hannay said: 'You're absolutely right, but it is a fine line.

'The department does not glorify speed, but we do facilitate filming in the Isle of Man for economic development to raise the Island's profile – we closed the road for Jeremy Clarkson so he could shoot along the Mountain Road.'

The announcement the road would be closed for up to seven weeks to allow work at Windy Corner sparked outrage, but there was relief last Wednesday when the route reopened after just three and a half weeks.

The decision to allow another closure just five days later has caused more anger.

Chris Blatcher, chairman of Ramsey Chamber of Trade, said: 'We have written to Ramsey's MHKs expressing our concerns that the road was being closed yet again.

'We are pleased the roadworks were completed very quickly, but we are still not convinced the road had to be closed in the first place.

'It was a major setback for Ramsey, even if the effect was not as bad as we had originally feared.'

Anne Craine MHK will ask questions in the House of Keys today about whether the DoT considered the inconvenience to businesses and the travelling public when making 'random' road closures.

But Mr Hannay said his department was merely being criticised for being too efficient.

Filming was due to happen while the road was closed and the department could not back out if its commitment.

'The production company approached us when they heard the Mountain Road was to be closed,' Mr Hannay explained. 'We thought if the road was closing anyway that was the best time to allow them to film.

'We thought there was a chance of reopening at Easter. When it transpired it was going to be even earlier we contacted the TV company, but couldn't back out of the commitment we had made.

'We've ensured the road is not closed during the morning and evening rush hour. We apologise to road users but we are not apologising for being too efficient.'

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