A town centre 20mph zone has been introduced in Ramsey, centred on the harbour and main shopping areas.

The new speed limit applies on Parliament Street, all the quayside roads and South Promenade, as well as the link roads within the area bounded by Albert Road, Queen’s Promenade and Bowring Road.

The Department of Infrastructure said that the zones had been created as part of an island strategy to introduce more ‘pedestrian-friendly’ town centres.

It added that the design and extent of the zone in Ramsey has been developed in conjunction with Ramsey Commissioners and was subject to public comment before being introduced.

The DoI suggested the idea to the previous Ramsey Commissioners board, which voted in favour of the changes.

Town clerk Tim Cowin said: ‘The signs have been bagged up for about three months but apparently couldn’t be implemented until all the circular white 20 signs went on to the roads. It needed that and the usual signage to make it enforceable.’

Ffinlo Williams, chairman of Ramsey Commissioners, said: ‘I’m very much in favour of the change.

‘I’m aware a speed limit isn’t a magic barrier which will suddenly stop people going above it, but it does provide the mechanism to enforce people staying slow through the centre of town.

‘I’ve no doubt there are people out there who will say, you can’t go more than 20 anyway, and I’d like to point out that is quintessentially the point. If someone took it upon themselves to drive 30 past Co-op or down the street it was perfectly legal to do so, now it’s not.’

Mr Williams added that he hopes the 20 signs painted on the roads are ‘kept looking fresh, but time will tell on that point’.