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"Appalling" weather conditions created major problems for workers removing an unstable tree which, in turn, caused traffic in Douglas to gridlock during a Friday evening rush hour.
That's the explanation given by Transport Minister David Anderson in his reply to a written Tynwald question from North Douglas MHK John Houghton.
Mr Anderson says Finch Road was closed from the junction with Crellin's Hill to the Chester Street Car Park, following a request from Manx National Heritage on October 10.
However, the two hour period allowed for the work to be safely completed proved to be insufficient, and the closure order had to be extended for a further three hours to 6pm.
The "appalling weather" is given as the main reason.
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