An attempt in the House of Keys to postpone roadworks, scheduled for Windy Corner, until the autumn has failed.

Only 17 members of the House were present when the vote was taken.

10 voted to support the current plans of the Department of Transport with just seven against.

An amendment from Bill Henderson seeking a six month trial period involving signage and a 40 miles per hour speed limit on the corner was defeated by the same number.

It means the Mountain Road will be closed for the best part of two months from next Monday (March 13).

James Davis reports:

(Text of attached audio)

The decision was reached despite the absence of two Ministers from the chamber– both Ramsey member Allan Bell and member for Garff Steve Rodan had specific constituency interests and chose to be absent.

While the Department of Transport can now proceed with its plans to close the Mountain Road, for an eight week period, it came in for much criticism from Ayre MHK Eddie Teare who moved the motion for delay.

He claimed the DoT had treated the members with contempt and accused them of a flawed lack of planning.

Both he and other members said that if it had to be done, the Windy Corner work should be carried out at the same time as the proposed changes at Brandish – it now means a further lengthy road closure will occur in future.