Plans to improve and resurface Arbory Street and Malew Street in Castletown remain on hold while the Department of Infrastructure seeks funding for the project.

Responding to a question during last week’s Tynwald sitting, Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall said planning approval for the scheme, granted on November 13, 2024, remained in place but no funding had yet been secured to allow work to proceed.

‘During the last six months, the department has continued to review options for progressing the project,’ Mr Crookall said.

‘However, no funding has yet been identified to enable the scheme to proceed to detailed design and construction.’

He told members a meeting had been arranged with Castletown Commissioners on August 3 to discuss the proposals.

‘Subject to their continued support, the department intends to submit a business case seeking the necessary funds to progress it to construction,’ he added.

The Minister added that if the local authority did not support the proposals, ‘the scheme will not be progressed’.

He added that some traders had previously opposed the plans and said it would be for the local authority to consider all views and the needs of the town before deciding whether to support the scheme.

In a supplementary question, Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse noted that members had previously been told in November last year that the department was preparing a business case.

He asked how large the business case would be and whether the process could be accelerated.

Mr Crookall said there were many competing infrastructure projects across the island and that discussions with the local authority would help determine the next steps.

‘There are lots of things that need doing,’ he said.

‘We will deliver this as and when, if it is supported by the local authority and the traders.’