The introduction of a new control system at the Ballasalla level crossing is reducing waiting times and enhancing the flow of traffic in the area.

The system uses software developed in the Isle of Man and releases the barriers at the crossing as soon as the train has passed through.

This saves road users approximately 60 to 70 seconds in waiting time compared with the previous set-up, which saw the barriers raised only when the train had travelled a specified distance beyond the crossing.

The work in Ballasalla was completed by members of staff from the Department of Infrastructure between the hours of midnight and 5am in order to minimise disruption to the public. The scheme is the latest in a programme of modernisation being carried out by the Department at level crossings around the Island.

Jason Moorhouse MHK, Department Member with responsibility for Public Transport, said: ‘The new control system is already helping to alleviate the build-up of traffic at the level crossing in Ballasalla. If you add all the minutes saved over the duration of the heritage railway season it represents a significant amount of time. This scheme is another example of how the Department is investing in the Island’s infrastructure to deliver a better service for its customers.’