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Questions in Keys on upland tracks
IN THE GROOVE: Erosion on the Baltic track above Kirk Michael, looking towards Snaefell. PHOTO: Mike Proudfoot MP130219 (12).
THE QUESTION of erosion and wear from vehicles on upland green ways in the island is to be raised in Keys questions tomorrow (Tuesday, March 12).
Douglas North MHK Bill Henderson has tabled three questions for answer by Infrastructure Minister David Cretney.
Firstly he is asking Mr Cretney to comment on the condition of the routes from the Slabs south of Niarbyl to Eairy Cushlin car park.
He will also ask if there has been any assessment in the last three years of paths across the island and what action has been taken to minimise damage to them in the uplands.
Referring to the Slabs path, Mr Henderson said he regarded it as one of the most attractive ones in the Isle of Man.
‘I came across this the other week. It is a steep path and there is erosion down to the bedrock where it has been used by motorised vehicles,’ he said adding that some paths were almost unusable now.
‘I am surprised the DOI have not got safety warnings there in some places because there are slabs of slate which can be very slippery when it is wet. It highlights what is going on all over the Isle of Man.’
‘I have seen people trying to smash a gate down trying to access a track. I would like to see some more restrictions as they have had to do in England. Many tracks have been closed. We advertise our green ways all over the place and this is what happens.’
He commended the work of organisations such as the Manx Four Wheel Drive Club who do voluntary work on the island’s green ways marking them clearly and improving drainage to minimise damage from running water which can settle in tyre tracks and exacerbate the erosion.
‘We have to have restrictions to encourage the regeneration. Swathes of green way roads are being destroyed by stealth,’ he said.
Richard Crane of the Manx Four Wheel Drive Club pointed out the Slabs route was a highway - the D60 - and said archive film of the lower section in the 1965 six day trial showed little change.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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