A total of £10m is to be spent over two years on a major scheme to reduce flood risk in Laxey.

More than 50 options have been identified to deal with river, tidal and surface water flood risk covering the whole of the Laxey catchment.

Residents of Laxey and members of the public are invited to attend drop-in sessions at Laxey Working Men’s Institute next week when they can take a look at the plans.

The drop-in sessions, next Monday and Tuesday (September 28 and 29), are being held just before the anniversary of last year’s devastating Laxey floods. Planned flood alleviation works follow the recommendations of a report commissioned by Chief Minister Howard Quayle into the October 2019 floods.

Mr Quayle said: ’I am committed to addressing the long-standing flooding issues for both the Laxey valley and the island as a whole, to help prevent reoccurrences of the damage and distress that flooding causes to the community.’

sustainability

Infrastructure Minister and Manx Utilities chairman Tim Baker said: ’Over 50 options have been identified, having been evaluated for suitability, build-ability, economic viability, and environmental sustainability.

’Following feedback from the drop-in sessions and evaluation, a set of options will be agreed for progression to help protect the community by managing flood risk from source to sea.

’We look forward to listening and sharing proposals with the local community as it is essential that views are respected and importantly that local knowledge forms part of the scheme.’

Already, some elements of the flood risk alleviation scheme have been accelerated to the design and build stage.

These include improvements to the culvert carrying the Gretch Veg watercourse opposite the Laxey Football pitch car park to boost flow and reduce the risk of blockages.

A debris catcher for the Glen Roy catchment is also well under way.

Large upright poles are being placed across a section of the river in the Laxey Glen Gardens to catch trees, branches and other large debris and prevent blockages downstream.

Next week’s drop-in sessions at Laxey Working Men’s Institute will take place between 10am and 8pm on both days.

gullies

Others works include the new river wall on Glen Road together with extra-large gullies and heavy duty channel drains installed alongside Victoria Terrace and at the Shore Hotel car park.

New wing walls have been constructed on Baldhoon Road to better channel the water into existing culverts.