To ease the burden on Ramsey to Douglas commuters during the period that the Mountain Road will be closed for repairs (February 28 - April 15), provision has been made to accommodate those wishing to work upstairs in the town library at the town hall.

Manx Telecom will install super-fast broadband and will also be promoting the facility. A printer will also be made available.

Town clerk Tim Cowin has been in contact with the Cabinet Office and it has undertaken to promote the offer to government employees, coupled with a facility currently available to them at Ramsey fire station.

Mr Cowin said: ’The long-term aim is to encourage people to use the library as a place to work as an alternative to travelling to Douglas. The timing of the road closure and the disruption to commuting to Douglas is not welcomed, but it does give the ideal opportunity to enable people to try the facilities and spend more of their time - and hopefully money - in Ramsey.

’As TT will start approximately six weeks after this road closure, it is hoped that working from the library can become a realistic option for Ramsey residents.’