Chief Minister Howard Quayle has ordered an independent review into last week’s disastrous flood in Laxey.

Mr Quayle announced the inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the flood -the Laxey river burst it banks on Tuesday last week, flooding a number of homes in Glen Road - while answering urgent questions in Tynwald this morning.

He told members: ’I have instructed the chief secretary to establish an independent review into the flooding of Laxey.’

It would be led by an expert appointed from outside of government, he said

Mr Quayle praised the emergency services and volunteers who reacted to the crisis last Tuesday, which followed torrential rain he said was likely to prove to have been heaviest on record.

He also expressed sympathy for the householders whose homes have been ruined by the floods.

The Chief Minister said he had directed all the relevant agencies to take ’prompt short-term remedial action’.

A longer-term plan was also being devised, he said.

’A specialist consultancy has been appointed by Manx Utilities to advise on immediate action that can be taken in the river, as well as to review the long-term management of the entire catchment.’

Work had already begun to identify solutions and improve the design of the Department of Infrastructure’s proposed climate change mitigation scheme for Laxey Harbour.

He said the rainfall on the Monday night and Tuesday morning reached 107mm in the upper parts of Laxey river catchment, which was set to be confirmed as the highest since 1945 and compared with 78mm in the 2015 flood.

But such occurrences were likely to become more frequent, he warned.

’A number of solutions to deal with heavy rainfall, by adding permanent new infrastructure in the village will be examined and all practical ideas shared with local people to ensure they are happy with any structural changes that might be made,’ he said.

’As intensive rainfall of this sort is to be expected to be more frequent in the future, the DOI, Manx Utilities and the DEFA will continue to work together within the environment and infrastructure Subcommittee of the Council of Ministers to reduce the risk of flooding in the old Laxey area.

’In addition, a review of the legislation covering flooding has been undertaken to identify ways in which land and river owners could be obliged to keep rivers and banks clear.’