Ramsey Commissioners are warning people to be aware of their responsibilities if they invite people into their garden to watch the TT.

To make an area on the TT course prohibited by law, the Department of Infrastructure must get the permission of the owner and occupier of the property.

The occupier of a Commissioners-owned property at 1 Albert Terrace in Ramsey has refused to agree to make their garden a prohibited area.

Ramsey commissioner Richard Radcliffe said:

‘A tenant in Albert Terrace decided that they don’t wish their garden to be a prohibited area and we believe has taken out their own public liability insurance. Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1964, they have a duty of care to anyone they invite into their garden to watch the races.

‘The Act requires the occupier to put in place whatever safety measures they can. Even if you have taken out public liability insurance, it doesn’t absolve you of your duty of care.

‘It would be advisable to take your own legal advice if you intend doing this. Even pubs where spectators gather need to be aware of this.’

The occupier, who did not wish to be named, said:

We received a letter from the TT Marshals’ Association but we have spoken to the Commissioners and told them that we have taken out our own insurance. The previous occupier did not agree to it either. It’s only family members who watch the race from our property.’

A spokesman for the Department of Economic Development said:

‘The Road Races Act 1982 gives the DoI the power to issue a Road Race Order that can prohibit access to any area that the public normally has access to if this is necessary to protect the safety of the public or competitors. 

‘The race organisers, ACU Events, through the DED, will normally make this request to the DoI. In a very few cases the occupier or owner of the property has refused consent. In such circumstances the person responsible is advised that the area has been assessed as high risk by the race organisers and because consent to restrict access to the area has been refused, the insurance arrangements that apply to spectators and spectator areas around the rest of the course may not apply. Members of the public around the course are covered by the insurance between the Auto-Cycle Union and DED.’