Community meetings are taking place next week to provide residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions about the future of the Isle of Man’s sea defences.
 
The Department of Infrastructure and flood management specialists JBA Consulting will highlight potential long-term measures to combat harbour flooding and coastal overtopping.
 
The presentations, which will feature content and options specific to each local area, will be held on:
 
Thursday 26th February
 
11am at the Working Men’s Institute, New Road, Laxey
 
7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Hope Street, Castletown
 
Friday 27th February
 
1.30pm at Port St Mary Town Hall, the Promenade
 
6pm at Ramsey Grammar School, Lezayre Road, West Hall
 
• JBA will return at a future date to host presentations in other areas of the Island
 
The Department is working with JBA Consulting to explore ways of reducing the social and economic impact of coastal flooding. A comprehensive report published in January focuses on seven sites considered most at risk – Castletown, Douglas, Laxey, Ramsey, Peel, Port St Mary and Gansey.
 
It reviews different options against a set of key criteria in order to determine the most effective long-term solution for each site. Options include:
 
•         Raised harbour walls
•         Set back walls
•         Tidal gates
•         Rock armour
•         Beach recharge schemes
 
A summary of the report’s findings is provided on a site-by-site basis at http://www.gov.im/coastandwave.
 
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:

‘The meetings on Thursday and Friday are an opportunity for local communities to play a leading role in the decision-making process. We are looking at options that will protect vulnerable towns and ports from the impacts of climate change for the next 100 years, but it is up to the people living in these areas to make their feelings known.’