Traffic concerns raised over sewage works plan

Garff Commissioners urged residents to give their views on the plans

Residents have raised concerns about a proposed sewage treatment plant in the east of the Isle of Man.

In August, plans were submitted by Manx Utilities to construct the Garff Sewage Treatment Works at the southern edge of the Axnfell Plantation.

Garff Commissioners held a public meeting this week to inform the local authority's position on whether to support or oppose the plans.

Residents voiced concerns about traffic management on Clay Head Road as well as inconsistencies in the application document about what the pumping stations would look like.

With about 40 people in attendance, the majority of residents were against the current proposal, however, the consensus was that raw sewage should not be pumped into Laxey Bay.

'No alternative'

One resident said he attended a public meeting outlining the initial proposals last year, which he was "happy with", however, when the plans were then submitted the route of the outflow pipe now ran past his house.

Some residents said they wanted Meary Veg, a sewage treatment plant that serves Douglas, Onchan and the south of the island, to be used instead and questioned the longevity of the technology involved.

Tim Woakes, one of the consultants involved in the plans, said that was not a "viable" option and confirmed that most of the equipment would last for 50 years.

Fellow consultant Ian George said: "Our commitment is completely towards the residents of Garff, Laxey and Baldrine to make sure the quality of bathing water has improved."

Chairman of Garff Commissioners Stan Ryzak said: "We can't just keep pumping raw sewage into the bay" adding that there was "no alternative."

Speaking after the meeting, he said the local authority would "take the information from the residents and see if they want to come back with any alternatives to the proposals".