A footbridge which once provided a crossing over the TT course near the Grandstand will not be reinstated, the Isle of Man Government has confirmed.

The former footbridge crossed Glencrutchery Road between Douglas Cemetery and Noble’s Park and was closed following a structural inspection in 2019 before eventually being removed.

The Government has now confirmed there are no plans to replace it.

A spokesperson said: ‘The former footbridge has not been in place for a number of years and there are currently no plans for its reinstatement.’

The decision is likely to disappoint some residents and spectators who have previously questioned why the crossing, which provided a popular route during racing periods, was removed.

The issue was raised in Tynwald following the bridge’s closure back in 2024.

Then Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall said the Department for Enterprise had indicated it did not require the bridge during racing periods and that there was ’limited scope’ for other usage.

Previous estimates for replacing the structure put the cost at more than £1m.

Julie Edge MHK had also highlighted that the bridge, originally funded by Douglas ratepayers, had provided students at University College Isle of Man with ‘safe access for exams during TT’.

Mr Crookall acknowledged the point but said there was another footbridge ‘200m down the road’ at Bray Hill.

However, David Ashford MHK argued at the time that this was ‘quite a walk, particularly for elderly people’.

The Government says spectators continue to have access to crossing points around the course, including the Bray Hill footbridge, which is installed during the TT and Manx Grand Prix periods.

The latest confirmation comes amid renewed discussion about facilities around the TT Grandstand.

Meanwhile, the rows of national flags traditionally displayed above the Grandstand were also absent during this year’s racing, but a funding bid is planned by the DoI to replace them.