The Keys have decisively rejected bid for the Chief Minister to be drawn further into the DoI’s handling of the Tynwald mandated 20mph rollout.
MHKs clashed over consultation processes, enforcement, and the perceived rushed rollout of the policy.
The motion, brought by Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas, called for the DoI to provide the Chief Minister with a “full explanation” of the 20mph implementation plan.
Mr Thomas criticised the lack of transparency, saying, “The public need assurance with evidence that the five-step process laid out clearly in the Manual for Manx Roads has been used in this project.”
He highlighted concerns about roads like Victoria Road in Douglas, which he argued is “an exemplar of a district multi-modal link and an important cross-urban route where a 20mph limit is usually inappropriate.”
Troubling
Rob Callister seconded the motion, branding the rollout a “political train crash” and accusing the DoI of pre-empting consultation outcomes.
“The department has attempted to pre-empt the outcome of this consultation,” he said. “It is equally troubling that the department seems to hope that the public in and around Douglas and Onchan would overlook the installation of various poles during the TT fortnight.”
Chief Minister Alf Cannan acknowledged public “consternation” but defended the policy as a response to past Tynwald resolutions.
“This policy was not on my agenda,” he said. “These measures are being brought forward by the DoI in response to debates in Tynwald as far back as 2020.”
He assured members that no final decisions would be made without local engagement and that “not all the roads published on the map will become 20mph roads”.
Trust
Julie Edge proposed an amendment to suspend the rollout, citing a lack of public trust.
“The Manx public have been heard,” she said. “There is a large majority against this project because of the lack of communication and consultation with them to have a say in their individual areas.”
Her amendment was seconded by Andrew Smith but was rejected by 18 votes to five.
DoI Minister Dr Michelle Haywood insisted the consultation was being conducted rigorously.
“This is the largest and most detailed consultation that the department has carried out,” she said.
“Each road will be re-evaluated against the criteria that we have used to assess the roads.”
Dr Haywood also pledged to publish results and revisit contentious roads, adding, “Nothing will be signed off unless it has come through me first.”
Enforcement
Criticism also came from Tim Glover who warned of enforcement challenges, citing a letter from the Chief Constable.
“How is it going to be enforced? Bus timetables have come up,” he said. “There is concern as well around cars running and being on the roads for longer, and is that going to contribute to more pollution?”
However, support for the policy came from Daphne Caine, who praised the consultation process, and Dr Alex Allinson, who noted, “I have never had any constituents come up to me and say that they want traffic outside their front doors going faster.
“This is about communities reducing speed limits where it is appropriate.”
The motion was ultimately defeated by 17 votes to six, but Mr Thomas said he would continue pressing for answers. “We need to know what the law will mean,” he said.
“We are at severe risk of collectively losing our reputation because of expectations that won’t be met.”
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