A £1m programme of works in the national glens will see access improved and facilities enhanced.

The £1m scheme to improve pathways, play areas and car parks in the island’s 18 glens over the next four years was announced in last month’s Budget.

Following approval of the Budget, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture said a detailed programme of work to enhance the glens is being developed.

While routine maintenance to all glens will continue, DEFA said the allocation of extra funding will allow it to focus specifically on ’more targeted, strategic improvements’.

These will ’ensure a sustainable access strategy for years to come, supported by better facilities to make visiting the glans easier and more enjoyable’, a DEFA spokesman said.

’Care will be taken to ensure that improving access to enable more people to enjoy experiencing the island’s glens does not detract from the appearance of the environment,’ he added.

While the detailed planning of the improvement programme is still being worked up, the department has been able to provide an overview of some of the key areas where it intends to make improvements over the next four years.

Enhancements

Access and path enhancements to make the glens available to a wider range of visitors will take place at Glen Helen, Laxey, Bishopscourt, Ballaglass, Bradda, Port Soderick and Silverdale.

Playground improvements will be made at Silverdale, Laxey and Glen Wyllin.

Toilets will be revamped at Glen Helen, Silverdale, Laxey and Glen Wyllin.

And work to provide a car park at Bishopscourt will be included in the programme.

DEFA said it is also leading on a project to provide more consistent signs across the entire government estate.

While no glens are currently closed, some are subject of restrictions due to ongoing improvement works or because of fallen trees.

DEFA said restrictions are only applied to ensure public safety. Groudle Glen is passable with care and plans for footpath improvements are being drawn up.

Restrictions are in place at Tholt-y-Will Glen where there are notices about diversions. DEFA said maintenance works here are progressing well.

In Bishopscourt, the left side footpath is closed from the road to the pond due to a large fallen tree, nearby damaged trees and hanging debris.

In Glen Wyllin, safety fencing has been put up due to river bank erosion. Repair works are being prepared.

And river bank erosion has forced the closure of the bottom path at Glen Mooar. DEFA said it is awaiting design plans and approval.

DEFA is the custodian of a significant proportion of the Manx countryside, stewarding around 28,000 acres comprising glens, forests and hill lands.

Its Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate is charged with sustainably managing the department’s estate and ’developing its full recreational potential to the benefit the health and well-being of the local community and the economy’, said the department spokesman.