Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has been to Liverpool to see how construction of the new ferry terminal, which is being paid for by the Manx taxpayer.

The terminal is massively over budget, but in a press release from the government about his visit, this is not mentioned.

In December the total cost was forecast to be more than £70million and the Department of Infrastructure had to ask members for more than £30m extra to keep the project going. A 2016 report to Tynwald estimated the total cost would be in the region of £25m.

Mr Cannan and nfrastructure Minister Tim Crookall MHK saw first-hand the steelwork for the terminal building, which has recently been constructed.

The Chief Minister said: ’I wanted to come here today and see the site for myself - particularly how much progress is being made - and speak to the site team tasked with delivering a project of such national importance to the Isle of Man.

’Tynwald voted in December to see this vital project through to completion and the focus is now fully on delivery. While work has largely taken place within the ground up to this point, the framework of the terminal building now being in place is hugely symbolic and means we can begin to see how the facility will look once it is fully operational.’

He added: ’It’s two years now since work began and it’s clear that a range of on-site challenges have had to be overcome, in addition to disruption and difficulties presented by the pandemic. Today’s trip has helped put this into context and I look forward to further visible progress being made over the coming months as things really start to take shape.’

A presentation by the main contractor, John Sisk Ltd, preceded a comprehensive tour of the site at Princes Half-Tide Dock, including a ceremony alongside the terminal building to mark significant completion of the superstructure steelwork.

Mr Crookall said: ’I’ve received regular and thorough updates on this project since my appointment, but this is my first visit to the site itself and I’m grateful to the teams for providing such a detailed and frank appraisal of where we’re up to.

’Significant progress is being made on-site with a large proportion of the steel frame of the terminal building now in place. The linkspan, pontoon and passenger access system are in storage near to the site, ready to be installed, and works to prepare their respective foundations are underway.’

He added: ’A number of other tasks are being carried out while this takes place, including groundwork such as drainage and ducting for services. Dredging took place over the New Year period and removed the bulk of material from the berth - this work will be completed once measures to protect the harbour wall have been put in place.’