A Ramsey Commissioner has said that Ramsey deserves better than indefinite ‘design stages’.
Juan McGuinness has commented on the six month closure to vehicles of Ramsey Swing Bridge.
Mr McGuinness said: “The bridge has been closed to vehicles since January after a hole was spotted on the bridge and the DOI started looking into it.
“Six months later the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure is still “awaiting a design” before it can even schedule the repairs.
“Now, this is a Protected Buildings Registered Victorian landmark, so it must be done properly and no one wants corners cut.
“But I don’t think I’m alone in suspecting the real end game is a pedestrian only crossing. And with no firm timetable in sight, that suspicion only grows.”
Deserves Better
He also commented on the increased congestion in the town due to the bridge closure:
“Meanwhile, more and more cars sit waiting at the North Shore Road/Bowring Road bottleneck in the morning and evening, queues now feel almost as traditional as the bridge itself.”
Mr McGuinness has questioned whether the fate of the Swing Bridge is similar to that of Queen’s Pier:
“What was once a key accesspoint from the town centre to the Mooragh Promenade is reduced to a photo-op. Sound familiar? It’s reminding me of the Queen’s Pier, where its heritage status became an excuse for inertia rather than inspiration for modern use.
“Ramsey deserves better than indefinite “design stages”. A straight answer on the plan (and a timeline) would be a welcome change.”
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