By JOHN TURNER
MGP bad weather plan to avoid commuter chaos
CONTINGENCY plans to ease traffic flow if races are delayed by bad weather this year have been announced by Manx Grand Prix organisers the Manx Motorcycle Club.
If bad weather delays racing at this year's event, roads will remain open unless and until conditions improve sufficiently for racing to take place.
The revised plans now mean roads can close later in the day and racing could continue into the evening.
To accommodate rush-hour commuter traffic, all roads except the stretch from Ramsey Hairpin to the Creg-ny-Baa would reopen for one hour between 5pm and 6pm.
Failing light would probably mean racing has to end by 8pm and this could mean races run over fewer laps.
TT Marshals' Association chairman Bill Carden said: 'This will definitely need our swift assistance in getting the roads re-closed on time and ready to go.
'It goes without saying, of course, that we hope all the race days run to schedule without the need to put this plan into practice.'
A spokesman for the Manx Motorcycle Club said: 'We have made these changes this year in order to do everything we can to accommodate the travelling public.'
Unpredictable weather delayed racing at last year's event causing roads to remain closed through the rush hour period.
This, coupled with a number of minor accidents around the capital, at times caused long tailbacks.
When races are able to run on schedule, roads normally reopen late afternoon in time for the rush hour.