The overtaking lane on Richmond Hill is set to reopen - but the 30mph speed limit remains in place.

The speed restriction was imposed in December after a surface dressing applied in the summer came loose, with stray chippings posing a risk to safety and of damage to cars..

With some drivers ignoring the 30mph limit, the southbound overtaking lane was closed the following month.

Repair works needed to fix the road - on the main route between Douglas and the south - were put on hold as they require warmer weather, motorists were told.

Now cones preventing access to the overtaking lane will be removed today (Thursday) but the 30mph speed limit remains in place in both directions.

The Department of Infrastructure said an inspection by an independent specialist last week found that the ’shedding issue had considerably reduced’ and that ’warmer weather had resulted in the surface becoming more stable’.

Unmarked police vehicles will be patrolling the area to ’encourage safe driving and ensure the safety of motorists’, the DoI added.

’The condition of the road will continue to be monitored with a view to increasing the speed limit depending on how the surface responds.’

The road will be closed between 6.30pm and 11pm today to allow the removal of the cones, clearing of the drains and sweeping of the highway.

However, there is still no indication yet about when or even whether the road surface will be repaired.

The DoI’s Roadwatch site states that the temporary 30mph will stay in place until May 31 ’or until the road surface defect work is completed, whichever is the earlier’.

Contractor Colas laid the problem-hit surface dressing during maintenance works carried out in August last year.