The Department of Infrastructure is continuing its focus on strategic maintenance of the Isle of Man’s key assets by funding repairs to Laxey and Castletown breakwaters.

Merseyside contractor Gunform International Ltd. has been appointed to carry out specialist sprayed concreting work, which is expected to extend the lifespan of the two structures by up to 50 years.

The improvements at Laxey involve repairs to a section of the internal facade of the breakwater, as well as localised repairs to the existing sprayed concrete work on the external facade.

Work at Laxey is scheduled for completion before the end of November when attention will switch to upgrading part of the south elevation of Castletown breakwater. This scheme is expected to take approximately three weeks.

Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘The Department is committed to professional asset management in order to maximise the life and value we get from the Isle of Man’s infrastructure. Basic maintenance of our roads, bridges, harbours and breakwaters may not seem particularly exciting, but it makes sense to invest now to avoid paying out millions of pounds in years to come.’

Photo - The image shows the sprayed concrete work taking place at Laxey breakwater. Reinforced mesh is fixed with resin anchors before two layers of sprayed concrete are applied.