Flyovers and underpasses are among the radical ideas being considered to improve access across the TT course.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker told the House of Keys that the existing TT access road along the old railway line was ’problematic’ and was challenging for residents during race periods.

He said six options had been identified for crossing the TT course.

Three of these involved widening and extending the existing route but three alternatives had been considered which Mr Baker accepted were ’clearly quite radical’.

One of these was a new flyover from the roundabout at Saddle Road through forested land crossing the TT course adjacent to Braddan Bridge and joining the A23 Braddan Road at a new junction south of Braddan cemetery.

A second option would be an underpass connecting the police headquarters access road with Greenfield Road and a third would be an underpass at St Ninian’s crossroads connecting Ballanard Road with Ballaquayle Road.

Of the options to improve the existing TT access road, one would see it extended and widened from Braddan Bridge to a new junction on Braddan Road.

A second would see it continue along the heritage trail up to Ballafletcher roundabout and a third would see it extended to the hospital roundabout.

Mr Baker said another option looked at to improve traffic flow between Onchan and Douglas was a new flyover crossing Summerhill Glen at the top of Victoria Road.

’Detailed feasibility studies have been undertaken in preparation for a policy review within the department,’ Mr Baker told the MHKs.

Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) said: ’This will be talked about for weeks, quite properly.’

Mr Baker said the options are being considered ’thoroughly’. ’Clearly, we are thinking in a flexible way,’ he said. ’It is important we don’t constrain our thinking.

’Clearly some of the options are quite radical and would bring big challenges.’

He said the proposals hadn’t been taken to the detailed stage in terms of accurate costs. ’We are very much in the early stages,’ he said.

New MHK for Douglas South Paul Quine spoke of the strategic value of the Douglas to Peel railway line and said the preservation of the permanent way should be enshrined.

Mr Baker replied that he was keen not to damage a significant asset whether in its current use for active travel or for a potential Douglas to Peel railway service.

Julie Edge (Onchan) queried why the Minister had ruled out the Summerhill Glen flyover in Tynwald when he said it was not a scheme he would support.

Mr Baker said it was not in the Programme for Government but was published in the department’s 15-year traffic plans for Onchan.

’There is currently no programme for the implementation of a flyover at Summerhill Glen,’ he said. ’There is no timescale or detailed proposal for undertaking that work.’

He said it was in the category of ’additional improvement works’, adding: ’I think it is very unlikely we are going to pursue that route because it doesn’t have a direct benefit to the access to the TT course.’

Bill Shimmins (Middle) pointed out that the previous DoI Minister had given a commitment that the existing TT access would be made two-way in time for TT 2022. ’Is he walking back from that commitment?’ he asked.

’It is problematic,’ admitted Mr Baker. ’We need to look more widely than simply widen the existing access road and make sure if that indeed is the option chosen that it does represent best value for money and is the right answer.

’I think that is unlikely to be achieved for TT 2022.’

He said he hoped the new access would be in operation for the 2024 TT, subject to all the necessary approvals and funding.