The DoI Minister has addressed criticism of the proposed 20mph consultation saying it is the role of MHKs to take a view for people who can’t speak up for themselves.
Dr Michelle Haywood thanked those who attended the evening at Port Erin Railway Station to share their views on proposals for Colby, Ballabeg and Port Erin.
Responding to claims that the department is not listening, Dr Haywood said it was “a little disappointing” that the narrative still comes up”.
She added that “the whole point of the consultation is that we have tabled some proposals and we are listening to every community about what ‘feels right’ for their roads”.
Outcomes
She said the criteria used to select roads for potential 20mph limits can produce finely balanced outcomes, with “some factors favouring 20mph and others suggesting 30mph” and that these are typically the areas that prompt most discussion.
Final decisions, Dr Haywood said, will weigh public input, data and professional advice.
She stressed that “just because the decision doesn’t ‘go your way’ doesn’t mean the Dept didn’t listen,” and reiterated the duty of parliamentarians to consider “the young and the elderly. In some respects we listen to the silent voices”.
While thanking attendees and contributors to the consultation, she criticised the tone of a minority of comments, saying that “downright rude and disrespectful comments aimed at myself and officers were unwarranted,” before urging the public to “play the ball, not the man”.