The Infrastructure Minister has said speed reduction measures could be implemented in 2023/24 around Ballakermeen High School if proposals are successful.

In the House of Keys sitting this week, Douglas Central MHK Ann Corlett asked the minister for a progress update on the Department of Infrastructure’s plans for the roads surrounding the school.

She added that ‘almost every resident’ she had spoken to ‘wanted a speed reduction’.

Mr Crookall explained that highways officers are planning a consultation process to create a ‘school streets trial’.

School streets is the restriction of motorised traffic outside schools at drop off and pick up times to make it safer for children.

He said: ‘The department anticipates this consultation will commence in the next couple of months.

‘Appropriate traffic calming and speed reduction measures will be considered as part of that consultation.

‘The benefits from the school streets trial are expected to be decreased road danger, increased physical activity and reduced CO2 emissions.’

He continued: ‘Subject to a successful outcome from the consultation, progress towards implementation will start when funding becomes available, hopefully in the 2023-24 year.

‘I’m optimistic that this funding will be supported, as the benefits of these measures will assist in the delivery of our Island Plan.’

Mrs Corlett said after the sitting: ‘My point was if there is a need for traffic calming measures that that is consulted with the residents because you’ve got impacts from that – maybe loss of parking or one way roads.

‘If it’s something that’s going to physically impact it other than legally bringing the speed down, I’m not against that, but I do think we have to talk to the people who live there because they will have to live with the impact.

‘Overall, I felt far more positive about this. He’s actually making a commitment that something will be done.’

The minister mentioned he had driven in the area looking at the issues.

‘Twenty mile-an-hour speed limits are probably self-imposing at certain times of the day and it is due to the school,’ he said. ‘If we end up putting in physical structures to reduce the speed limits, it will cost potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds, for what I think may well be unnecessary.

‘When you look around at the moment, it regulates itself. Most people are driving at 20 or less during that time.’

Mrs Corlett argued that there should be consideration about speeds around other times for residents in the area, which Mr Crookall agreed with.

‘That is an island-wide issue,’ he said. ‘Trying to enforce anything under 30 is an issue for police as well.

‘But we will consult with members, local residents and the schools.’