Castletown Commissioners have bowed to public pressure and the town square will be open to parking after Easter weekend.

The move is a change of heart for the local authority and is in response to an outcry from members of the public and traders after, a few weeks ago, they closed the square entirely to parking to September.

A petition against the move was drawn up as people feared the square’s closure would kill the town and deal another blow to traders in an already challenging environment.

The authority said commissioners had listened to the representations made from traders and the public, and added: ’It has now been agreed that a flexible approach to the use of the square would better balance the interests of all its users.’

From noon on April 23 parking will be permitted on the George side of the square.

However, it will be closed entirely for events.

The authority has drawn up a long-term parking and traffic management strategy for the town ’to optimise the use of the off and on street parking spaces throughout the year for the economic and cultural benefit of the town.’ Full details are available at the civic centre and at www.castletown.gov.im.

The authority added: ’The commissioners are committed to making the newly created public space on the castle side a safe, welcoming area and have invested in new seating, outdoor play equipment and an Astroturfed family-friendly area ... a culture corner will be created which will permit entertainers to showcase their talent using the town’s new outdoor sound system.

’The board is in talks with Manx National Heritage to optimise the usage of the Castle Rushen Speakers Garden open space.

’The commissioners accept that their vision for the future of the town could have been communicated better, but hope that when people see what can be done with a public open space whilst remaining sympathetic to the town’s traders, the whole of Castletown will embrace it.’