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Upkeep of pond not for local authority
POND UPKEEP: Attenuation pond at Erin Way, Port Erin, that a commissioner says is in a shocking state. PHOTO: Mike Wade MW120902 (4).
AN attenuation pond in Erin Way, Port Erin, is ‘a vital piece of infrastructure’ and it is ‘in a shocking state’ said Port Erin commissioner Phil Crellin.
He made the comment as the authority considered a request from the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage to take over its upkeep.
The pond, created when the surrounding estate was built by Heritage Homes in 2003, is intended to hold storm water and prevent flooding in the area.
When first created, the then Department of Transport’s drainage division accepted responsibility for the pond as being part of the storm water drainage system, and as drainage agent, the local authority maintained the area for which it claimed expenses off the department.
In April, all local authorities stopped being drainage agents and responsibility passed to the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority.
Since then, the pond and surrounding area has not been maintained, leading to ‘a lot of complaints’ from householders living near the pond, said commissioners’ clerk Mike Kewley.
The Authority’s planning and development engineer Ian Wade emailed asking if the local authority would continue to cut the grass, for which its costs would be covered.
‘The work force said “no”,’ said Mr Kewley. ‘It’s in an appalling state. I think they should get a contractor to take it over. We got rid of it, we do not want it back.’
Mr Crellin added: ‘It is in a shocking state. It is [designed] to level out the flows of water, it stops the stream from flooding, it’s a vital piece of infrastructure in that part of the village.’
He referred to the recent rains and said: ‘We should write back and say: “You get it cleaned, it’s your infrastructure”.’
Commissioner Lorna MacKellar proposed they reply the commissioners are ‘not in a position’ to take over the upkeep and she was seconded by commissioner Godfrey Egee.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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