Police have raised safety concerns about the suitability of Ridgeway Street to continue hosting the Christmas lights switch on in Douglas.

The annual festive ceremony is due to be held on Thursday, November 22, this year.

Councillors have been made aware of concerns raised by the Event Safety Advisory Group as well as the police and the fire and rescue service over the number of people who attended the 2017 event.

Members discussed the matter on Wednesday.

Councillor Jonathan Joughin stated his ’disappointment that road closures might be opposed’, a sentiment that was shared throughout the chamber.

barriers

Councillor Ritchie McNicholl suggested the creation of ’football-style barriers’ that could help split up the crowd so as to avoid any issues caused by the quantity of people who attend the popular event.

Ian Clague argued the national government ’should be trying to grow the economy’.

He said: ’Events like this help to do that, even if it requires more planning.

’Concensus in this chamber is that the town hall is the proper place to hold the lights switch on.’

Assistant town clerk Paul Cowin was asked about potential problems with the 2018 event. He said: ’I cannot say what occurred in a private meeting.

’However, I can confirm any issues relate to concerns over emergency access and crowd numbers.

’We have made changes to how we organise the event, including the layout, closing the road for the whole day, an emergency rendevouz point and stopping parking on King Street, all of which we hope will ease any concerns.’

Regeneration and community committee chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts noted that other locations such as Castle Street and Regent Street had been tried in the past.

But, he argued, outside the town hall was a popular event on a public higway.

’We strive to help our retailers and a small road closure shouldn’t be a problem,’ he said,

When contacted for further comment, Mr Pitts tried to allay worry over the event saying: ’It was merely a suggestion there could be an issue.

’We will check as soon as possible when we submit our application for the event.’