Legislation confirming government powers to close or divert roads for developments to take place will also include footpaths.

MHKs approved the principle of the Highways (Amendment) Bill when it went before the House of Keys on Tuesday.

The primary aim of the bill is to rectify an anomaly after a separate piece of legislation inadvertently restricted the Department of Infrastructure’s powers to close a road or divert it to allow a development to take place.

The bill rectifies this to ensure it covers any developments that have received planning approval.

Any such orders for a closure or diversion will still need to be approved by Tynwald. But Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer revealed the chance was taken to amend the original provisions.

Mr Harmer explained: ’Public footpaths are classed as highways, and if a highway closure order or highway diversion order, which requires Tynwald approval, is made for a footpath, the department is then required to make a subsequent order under a different section of the (Highways) Act, and again seek Tynwald approval, to amend the definitive map itself - Tynwald is asked twice to approve the same change.’

The bill changes this to avoid the duplication.

Members voted unanimously to grant the bill a second reading.