A degree of peak-hour congestion is a likely inevitable consequence of commuting, the report into the area plan inquiry has said.

The report highlighted issues in areas such as the Quarter Bridge and Governor’s Bridge and looked at possible solutions.

Mr Hurley stated in his report that if proposed developments went ahead in the area plan, without improvements to the road system, ’there would be a significant increase in congestion in Douglas and Onchan’.

However, Mr Hurley added: ’A degree of peak-hour congestion is a characteristic of most urban areas, and is perhaps an inevitable consequence of mass car commuting.’

Modelling commissioned by the government suggests that in the worst case scenario, the average traffic speed during peak hours in the afternoon could decrease from 19mph to 12mph with some journey times doubling in length compared to 2016 figures.

However, this is the absolute worst-case scenario which Mr Hurley said he believed would be ’unlikely’ to occur.

He noted that opportunities to make improvements to the road network in Douglas and Onchan were ’very limited’ and indeed none were proposed in the area plan. These areas could only see improvements through better traffic signals, particularly at junctions.

Mr Hurley added: ’Further mitigation could result from the introduction of the active travel strategy, whereby drivers are to be encouraged to walk or cycle to their destinations, where this is practical.

’Children living reasonably close to their school could be encouraged to walk there (perhaps in a supervised "walking bus"); or go by bike.

’Reduced car use might also be achieved by a modal shift in favour of public transport; or car travellers could be encouraged to share a single vehicle, wherever possible. There may also be increasing scope for some office workers to undertake their duties at home, by making use of IT facilities.’

His report added that peak period congestion often results in what Mr Hurley termed as ’peak spreading’ where car users begin their journey a little earlier or later in order to avoid the worst traffic and noted that congestion charges have been proven as improving the issue of traffic build up.