Mountain Road reopens after six-day closure

A major route connecting the Manx capital with the north of the island has reopened following a six day closure caused by snow and ice.

The A 18 Mountain Road, between Ramsey and the Creg Ny Baa has been opened but the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has urged motorists to "drive to the prevailing conditions".

A yellow weather warning for ice has been put in place until 10:00 GMT on Saturday, with higher ground and low lying spots sheltered from the wind particularly at risk.

The Tholt-Y-Will Road and the Ben-Y-Phott Road, which adjoin Mountain Road, remain closed.

The DOI said the Tholt-Y-Will Road would be reviewed on Saturday morning, while conditions on the Ben-Y-Phott Road would be reassessed on Monday morning as it remained "very snow and ice bound".

It said following an assessment, the department had made a decision that further pre-treatment of the winter gritting routes "was not required" on Friday evening.

The Mountain Road was closed on Saturday evening ahead of forecasted snowfall throughout Sunday.

Ronaldsway Met Office said road surface temperatures over higher ground would remain close to freezing overnight in first thing in the morning, creating a continuing risk of ice.

On lower ground, road surface temperatures would drop after dusk with expected clear spells leading to a risk of ice on untreated surfaces that has become wet during the day, forecasters added.

An amber weather warning for ice had been in place until 12:00 GMT on Friday.

On Thursday, the Isle of Man Constabulary said it had responded to 15 road traffic collisions within two days during the icy conditions.

The Isle of Man Airport said a number of Thursday evening's flights were disrupted "due to severe ice and snow conditions on the runway", which meant that aircraft had been unable to land.

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