The Head of Roads Policing has rejected any suggestion that the Mountain Road is closed for longer than necessary when officers deal with traffic accidents during the TT period.

Figures for this year show there were 13 per cent fewer accidents than during the same period in 2009, despite a five per cent rise in the number of motorbikes on the Island.

Just under 300 people were arrested for road traffic offences during TT 2010

Inspector Mark Britton believes this year's campaign with increased police visibility around the course was successful.

He says the number one priority is safety, but police would never keep the Mountain Road closed if there wasn't a need for it: