There have been 49 near-misses and one collision at Manx Electric Railway tram crossings since the line opened for its 2019 season.

Incidents included car drivers ignoring red lights or even coming to a halt on the tracks, causing trams to make an emergency stop.

Police said MER drivers have reported a number of close shaves at the Ballure Road and Queen’s Drive crossings in Ramsey. A spokesman for Isle of Man Transport said: ’Since the beginning of the 2019 Manx Electric Railway season in March, there have been 49 near-misses at road crossings reported by our tram drivers plus one collision.’

He added: ’These range from road users not stopping at red lights or paying attention to the give way system, to vehicles coming to a halt across the tracks and causing the tram driver to perform an emergency stop in order to prevent a collision.’

The collision took place last month close to the Ham and Egg Terrace junction in Laxey.

A car sustained significant damage to its front passenger side while the tram’s passenger steps were left buckled.

The spokesman said: ’As part of their training, tram drivers are instructed to use their bell to warn other road users of their presence when approaching a crossing and enter the crossing at a greatly reduced speed.

’We would appreciate all road users pay particular attention when crossing any tram lines. It is our policy to inform the police of any incident involving vehicles crossing in front of trams or ignoring red lights.’

A police spokesman said: ’There are reports from tram drivers of some very near misses. Please be careful and remain vigilant at all crossing points.’

Residents have complained about vehicles parked at the Queen’s Drive tram crossing in Ramsey, making visibility difficult. One said: ’I live on the corner of this crossing with a white van which hasn’t moved an inch in the last two years. I don’t know how many near-misses I have had with my child in the car.’