Commissioners in Ramsey say those in the town want to see flood defences built, but only if they’re done to the right standard.

It comes after government announced it’s set aside £60 million to spend on reducing the risk of flooding around Manx rivers.

Ramsey has been identified as a top priority, but the Department of Infrastructure’s plans for defences have yet to be revealed.

It’s understood a new harbour wall will be included to stop overtopping into Parliament Street, which occurs at high tides.

It’s not just the quay at risk though, with areas further up the Sulby River, such as the homes on Auldyn River, being likely to suffer.

Commissioner Albie Oldham said: ’If it’s thought about and done properly then I’ve got no qualms.’

But he said he was worried about the aesthetics of the scheme, what the work would involve, and how it would be carried out.

He said he was concerned about the impact of the work at the harbour wall for people wanting to access their boats and for pedestrians on the walkway.

Hazard

Commissioner Julia Wedgewood described the road at the quay as being in ’dire straits’.

’You only have to look at it to see what a trip hazard it is for people parking in a hurry.’

’The whole quay needs reconstructing,’ she said. ’Who knows what’s under it.’

Wilf Young said that any loss of parking spaces on the quay would be ’dire’ for the town.

’We’ve not got enough parking spaces as it is.

’To take away parking spaces on the quay - that’s dire. That could see the town dying.’

The last major floods to hit the town took place in January 2014.

Many will remember the event from the image of a man kayaking through the town’s flooded streets.

Mrs Wedgewood said it was important that action was taken to address flooding soon

’The research was done in 2015. It’s now 2019,’ she said.

’We’re in the group that’s supposed to be done by 2021. ’It’s been left a bit late anyway, really. It’s not a six-month job is it, doing this?