Kirk Michael’s Community Civic Centre was packed with villagers eager to see plans for a new road design that aim to improve pedestrian safety.

The design team from the Department of Infrastructure shared their proposals during a public meeting on Thursday which got a positive response, the commissioners’ clerk said.

Road safety in the village has been a big issue for years with many residents feeling frustrated at a lack of action about dangerous factors linked to the busy Main Road.

Feedback from a public consultation listed problems including speed, nonexistent or narrow footpaths, lack of crossing points and on-street parking impacting traffic.

Unveiled at the meeting were proposals for buffer zones, improved pavements, more motor vehicle activated signs, new pedestrian crossings and removable vertical surface treatments - which include speed humps and cushions, plus a raised zebra crossing.

The buffer zones would help safely slow down traffic from derestricted limits to the 30mph limit within the village, planners said.

’Visual road narrowing’, such as dragon’s teeth marking, would also contribute to making drivers more aware that they are heading into a more populated area.

The removable speed-reducing features would be located next to Michael Primary School, Balleira Road junction with cushions on the Main Road at every 80 metres.

Proposed crossings would be located by the school, Michael Parish Church, local butchers and northern bus stop.

Also proposed is a ’parklet’ for people to sit and make use of amenities with several locations being looked at.

A creation of space at Douglas Road corner is being considered with it being put to commissioners and public to decide what they would like there.

The DoI aims to complete the design in February, award the contract in June and begin work in September next year.

Michael Commissioners’ clerk Krystina Hodgson told the Examiner: ’A lot of people there felt the DoI’s plans had been very well presented.

’They were very welcoming of the fact that the DoI wants to do something about the pavements, but a lot of people were saying they weren’t keen on the removable bumps.’

She added that there was a rumour concerning a roundabout at Douglas Road corner and that many people turned up to the public meeting as they didn’t want one.

However, this was not part of the proposals.

The plans will remain on display at the community centre until the DoI pick them up either by the end of this week or Monday (October 7).

Feedback forms will be available for the public to leave their comments on the plans, which can be collected from the Michael Commissioners’ office or via its Facebook page or website: www.michael.gov.im/

The commissioners will have another public meeting on the plans at a later date.