"Why would we spend £8million of the taxpayers' money on something that's not wanted?"

Infrastructure minister says Ramsey Town Commissioners did not want sea wall  

The infrastructure minister says his department will now look at alternative solutions for West Quay in Ramsey. 

This week, the DOI withdrew its planning application for new flood defences and highway improvements following what it describes as 'serious concerns' raised locally about the scale and impact of the design.

You can find out more HERE.

The proposed scheme included a new flood wall, highway drainage upgrades, replacement of essential services under the roadway and reconstruction of footways and carriageways in the area.

'Listened'

Speaking on Manx Radio Breakfast this morning (24 February), the Glenfaba and Peel MHK says since returning to his post last month, he has been sitting down with local councils and during a meeting two weeks ago, learned that Ramsey Commissioners were against the plans. 

"This issue has been around for a long time and trying to resolve the flooding and the car parking and space for the fishing boats...and it's never been resolved but for some reason the department decided they were putting the plans in that nobody supported outside of the department."

'Won't work'

Minister Crookall says the board members of Ramsey Town Commissioners represent 'the face of Ramsey', and if 12 of the members do not want the sea wall, he asks why the plans would then be 'forced' onto them. 

He says parking concerns for businesses and losing sight of the harbour (due to the four foot wall) are the main concerns mentioned to him by the commissioners, the local business community and residents in the north. 

"Why would we spend £8million of the taxpayers' money on something that's not wanted?"

Concerns

Minister Crookall says, while he's been told the height of the wall is 'not needed', he accepts something has to happen:

New proposals

Mr Crookall says his department needs to return to Ramsey as soon as possible and speak to residents, businesses and the commissioners about what they would like, suggesting a public display would allow them to look at alternative solutions.

"The wall and parking is the biggest objections.... Can we do a two-foot wall with glass on the top of something like that so people can still see the harbour, I don't know, but we need to take a look at those things, cos once it's in, that wall is there forever and a day."

Cost

Minister Crookall admits he does not know how much has already been spent on the old plans for West Quay, but thinks it would be along thousands of pounds:

The minister, who was appointed to the role last month, was speaking on Manx Radio Breakfast this morning where he also spoke about the ongoing strike by bus drivers who are part of Unite the Union.

You can listen to the full interview via Newscast below: