Updating a sewage treatment works means that part of the old railway line heritage trail is going to be shut for 42 weeks.

The Manx Utilities Authority, which is responsible for electricity supplies, water and sewage, is undertaking a programme of refurbishment of existing sewage treatment works and Ballagarey in Marown .

It says the area has been identified as an ’existing asset that required updating to meet modern-day standards’.

Island Drainage and Groundworks is the main contractor and began work a week ago.

The planned work consists of replacing the current sewage treatment works with the installation of two integral rotating biological contactor plants (IRBCs) on the existing site.

Currently the combined level of treatment by the existing sewage treatment works isn’t ’commensurate with modern standards’, the Manx Utilities Authority says.

Two new IRBCs will provide an up-to-date process and the treated effluent that will be discharged will conform to modern day standards as determined by the environmental protection unit of Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

A spokesman for the MUA said: ’Aesthetically the new plants are more pleasing on the eye, and as a covered process offer very little risk of odour emissions.

’They are low energy, low maintenance processes with noise levels well below acceptable threshold requirements and will appear all but silent to local residents.’

MUA chairman Alex Allinson MHK said: ’Unfortunately this work has necessitated the need to close the trail between Glen Darragh Road towards Union Mills up to the private access way to Glenlough Campsite to ensure the safety of both our contractors and the public.

’We are conscious that the main trail is utilised by a number of people as a commuting route from Peel to Douglas and for recreational purposes.

’These works will mean that this section of the trail will need to be avoided at our works site and thus the main road from Douglas to Peel is the only option to bypass the site.

’The project team have explored the possibility of creating a safe temporary diversion of the trail utilising land in private ownership, however this was unfortunately not an available option. This situation is unavoidable.’

He added that the MUA would be working with the Department of Infrastructure to maintain access during next year’s TT.

’I am pleased to say that once these works have been completed the plant will provide modern day sewage treatment for the area with the site and trail being reinstated to a higher standard than before,’ he said.

The works will last for 42 weeks while the team maintains the existing infrastructure and undertakes the construction followed thereafter by the commissioning of the works.

The news has annoyed some people.

Douglas Council leader David Christian said on his Facebook page: ’The MUA has closed a section of the Heritage Trail (Old Railway Line to Peel) for 42 weeks to renew sewage works,

’The plant is not even on the path, but on land to one side.

’It is unbelievable they could not negotiate with a farmer the use of a small piece of land to allow it to a way through. A popular route for all activities. Get your act together MUA, a few weeks yes, 42 weeks no.’