Towed caravans could soon be approved

Towed caravans could soon be a regular sight on our roads – as a Tynwald committee prepares to try to open the Isle of Man to them.

The Select Committee on Towed Caravans is due to report back to Tynwald a week on Tuesday, after spending months considering the issue of whether caravans should be allowed here.

Although they’re not outlawed on the Island, the committee said a gentleman’s agreement between the Steam Packet Company and the government had produced an effective ban for decades.

That, however, may now change as the committee recommends caravans be allowed onto the Island – with restrictions in place.

In its recommendations, the committee says caravans should only be allowed on some of the Island’s roads.

There’s also a call for permits to be issued to those using caravans on the Island – and a licensing body overseeing standards on Manx campsites.

And the committee says the Department of Economic Development should do its best to make the more of any potential benefits to our tourism industry.

The report is due to be laid before the court and debated during November’s Tynwald sitting.