Weather information

Last update: 5.30pm, Thursday

The Department of Transport is reminding motorists to allow extra time for their journeys this evening after heavy traffic caused major delays on many of the Island's roads this morning.

It says a combination of factors including schools reopening, the Mountain Road closure and motorists following advice and sticking to the main treated roads, meant there were large tailbacks on many roads, specifically in the Onchan and Laxey area, and from Ballacraine to Glen Vine. The temporary traffic signals at Baldrine, which also caused some delays this morning, were due to be removed before this evening's rush hour.

The DoT says conditions on the Island's roads are improving but as the temperature drops this evening, roads that are currently clear may become iced so motorists are reminded to take extra care, allow extra time for their journeys and stick to the main roads that have been treated. Pedestrians are also asked to take extra care on footpaths and pavements as conditions underfoot remain treacherous in some places.

The department is again reminding drivers not to drive on closed roads. It says they not only risk their own safety, but also that of emergency services and road workers who have to attend the resulting accidents.

The Lhergy Cripperty Road reopened to traffic this afternoon, about four hours earlier than expected.

Roads on higher ground which were due to reopen last night remain closed due to the continuing trecherous conditions, although Minorca Hill in Laxey, from Ramsey Road to Glen Road, and Albert Street in Douglas, from Bucks Road to Mount Havelock, are back in use.

Old Laxey Hill, from New Road to Glen Road, and the Sloc Road, from Ballakillowey to Ballamodha, which were expected to reopen, will be reassessed at 6.20 this evening.

No decision has been taken on when the Mountain Road, from Cronk ny Mona to Ramsey Hairpin, will be back in use.

Several other roads are not due to reopen until tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm.

They are the A14 Tholt-e-Will Road, from Tholt-e-Will Cottage to the Mountain Road; the Druidale Road from Brandywell Cottage to Ballaugh Glen Road; the Injebreck Road, from Brandywell Cottage to Ard Whallin; and the Brandywell Road, from Brandywell Cottage to the Mountain Road.

Buses in the Isle of Man will only be running until just after 6pm today, a similar arrangement to yesterday.

The Public Transport Division of the Department of Tourism and Leisure says the services which leave Douglas at 6pm, 6.10pm and 6.15pm will be the last ones of the day.

It says a further announcement will be made at 3pm tomorrow as efforts are made to restore more services to the estates as the weather improves.

Some of the school buses will still be on a limited service tomorrow and you can check the news page on gov.im for more information.

Express postal services from the Island have been hit by the wintery weather in the United Kingdom.

Isle of Man Post has confirmed it's removing the Special Delivery and Parcelforce timed guarantee for items posted from today (Thursday).

It says exceptional weather is affecting mail services across the UK with heavy snow and ice making collections, deliveries and the movement of mail very difficult in many areas.

IOM Post says it will continue to accept and prioritise Special Delivery and Parcelforce mail and will restore the timed guarantee of delivery as soon as possible.

All local mail, including the local Special Delivery service is being delivered and collected as
normal.

If you have any queries call the firm's customer services team on 664664.

Cancellations on Thursday (and beyond) due to the weather:

Community Health has called off the Family Planning Clinic scheduled for this evening, although tomorrow's session is due to go ahead.

The Chair Based Exercise sessions in Onchan and Port Erin, scheduled for today and tomorrow, have also been also cancelled.

The meeting of the Manx Stroke Foundation this evening has been called off.

Ballakermeen High School's LTPA meeting this evening is off. A date for the next meeting will be sent out to parents within the next week.

All Isle of Man College courses around the Island due to be held this evening and tomorrow (Friday) have been cancelled. An announcement will be made tomorrow about those scheduled for the weekend.

For safety reasons, due to the ice and snow which is still heavy on the ground, the synthetic pitches at the NSC, Kensington Road, QEII High School, Ramsey Grammar School and Castle Rushen High School will remain closed today. A decision will be made on Friday's fixtures and the ones at the weekend, tomorrow.

The Pony Club's annual Christmas Party and Prize Presentation, scheduled for tomorrow evening has been put back a week. The Horse and Pony Care evening, scheduled for January 15 will now take place on January 29.

Also off this evening:

Laxey AFC's training.

The Army Cadets session.

The Fencibles and Tynwald Celts badminton club night at Ballakermeen.

The Aqua Pearls swimming sessions at Glencrutchery Road tonight and Friday.