nelwd

There are a number of different options that could be brought in that might help reduce not just the number of deaths, but also the number of life changing incidents and RTC’s in general. All of the ideas below would I am sure never work or be accepted for a wide variety of reasons, but I thought I would share them anyway. Some of them I am sure would have unintended consequences such as reducing the number of RTC’s on the mountain, but increasing them elsewhere. - Shut the mountain to all vehicles for the whole fortnight with the exception of very large HGV’s and authorised buses and minibuses. For these vehicles it would be 2 way. Public transport to be made free to all for the whole fortnight. The rationale behind this is it would probably be quicker and cheaper to take the bus over the mountain then drive your own car to Douglas for work etc, thus reducing the number of cars and bikes on the road. By removing large HGV’s from the Laxey route you will help to avoid jams in the centre of Laxey where the road is narrow. - Shut the Mountain to all motor bikes (local and visitors) and non IOM registered vehicles, i.e. it is only open to local cars, vans etc. Keep it 2 way. Shut the mountain to all vehicles apart from bikes. Run it as a proper ‘TT Experience’, charging people to ride it, with paid Marshalls, safety briefings etc. Keep the Mountain as it is, but also make the section from Ballacraine to Kirk Michael and Sulby Bridge to Milntown 1 way. Rationale - Do we have more RTC’s on the mountain as riders are desperate to get their 5 mins of unrestricted fun. If we make more of it, will they be a little more careful, and take less risks as the experience lasts longer? Ban all visiting vehicles from the IOM for the fortnight. I.e. if it is not Manx registered it can’t go on the road. Make public transport free to all for the fortnight and bring in extra buses. (Yes that will cost lots, but how much is spent on setting up and policing the mountain for the fortnight, plus the cost of each RTC.) As I said at the start I doubt any of this is possible or will ever happen , but it is food for thought

The best they have done yet, but still a way to go until they are as good as the ones that they do in Australia. I doubt however if our politicians have the guts to allow such a campaign on the IOM as it is rather hard hitting. Compare it with this one Or indeed a summary of a few of their campaigns in It is also worth having a look at their motorbike ones, which would be good in the run up to the TT and summer as they present a variety of views, as well as rider education.

Why would you still have staff costs? If two or three night sailings are scrapped for good, then surely you would either make some staff redundant (if we are honest none of us want that but I feel it is quite likely) or hope for staff reduction through natural wastage or alter staff contracts to reduce their number of weekly hours. I realise this is going to effect jobs and am not in favour of staff cuts, but surely some is better than all if it went bankrupt.

Contravenes SOLAS regulations in at least half a dozen ways. I am sure it does, but not sure why. Why are you in more danger sat in your car on the upper deck of the Ben, which is open to the sea, has a PA installed etc for safety announcments etc than you are sat on the top outside passenger deck? As I said only the upper vehicle deck, and with changed arrangemnets for access to life boats / life jackets etc. Whilst I am sure it is illegal, I am just not sure why it was made so.

I think that we have to face up to the fact that the Steam Packet will have to save money if they are to stay in business if Mezeron continue. (Which I hope they do) For what it is worth here are my suggestions as to how they could do so. Do we honestly need 2 return sailings a day in the middle of winter? If Mezeron are bringing more of the freight in, would it greatly hurt the public if they scrapped the 20.15 / 02.15 sailing on say a Tuesday night and Thursday night? This would still allow people to get away with their car on a Friday night and comeback on the early hours of Monday in time for work etc. It has been stated many times that moving people costs more money that freight. (Extra staff etc) Well why not offer people a cheaper ticket in return for staying in their car on the upper deck of the Ben. If they are on the upper car deck only then in the event of an incident they are not trapped below deck. Some re-arrangements for access to life boats might be needed but how much would that cost? One crew member might be needed to patrol the deck to check people are not being stupid, using stoves etc. If people want shops, food comfortable seats etc let them pay more for it. Access to toilets would be needed but again this need not cost a fortune to put in. I for one would actually prefer to stay in my car. You have to do it in the Chunnel, so I don’t see any H&S reason why you can’t. Do we need bars / shops café etc? Personally I have only ever bought the odd coffee and this could easily be served from either a vending machine or small one or two manned self service café. Get rid of the restaurant and put more seats in instead, thus allowing you to either get more on board, or alternatively use a smaller and cheaper to run boat. Put all the catering out to tender and insist on a minimum staffing level so that the Steam Packet need to employ less staff. Charge more for the trip to Liverpool. It is further to go, so must cost more in fuel etc. What is wrong with charging more for travelling further. The airlines charge you more to fly to Birmingham than Liverpool after all. Please don’t take this as ways for the Steam Packet to put their prices up, it is intended as ways for them to save money and hopefully lower prices. (I know that will never happen but…)