A geography teacher is calling for the government to work more closely with locals to preserve the environment.

Jim Macgregor, a teacher specialising in environmental studies at St Ninian’s High School, has noticed a high amount of sedimentation in Laxey River and got in touch with the government to ask that something be done.

He said: ’I’ve seen quite a few times in recent weeks where the river has turned a mucky brown colour due to the works by the contractor near the Woollen Mills.

’[I’m] really surprised about the lack of care for the environment. Government and contractors must work more closely with locals if they are to preserve and enhance the local environment.

’Having an over reliance on consultants to me seems like educational snobbery.’

Mr Macgregor said that the river usually had sediment in it from high river flows but, due to the dry spell, the river levels are low which means the amount of sediment has increased and has become more concentrated as there is less water in the river.

The 47-year-old continued: ’Contractors are obliged to put in sediment traps but these have been full for a while and have just over flowed. The whole of the river downstream now has a large layer of sediment over it.’

Mr Macgregor contacted the Environmental Protection Unit which was ’prompt’ in following the issue up and making sure the contractor would meet its obligations.

’I do believe the river should be monitored on a more regular basis,’ he said

’I was on the scene with Civil Defence when the floods occurred in Laxey. That was another example where the local people are often not listened to and their value is overlooked.’