Minister apologises for wall fiasco 

The patio structure is to be removed down to riverbed level

Outgoing Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall has issued an unreserved apology after a Tynwald Commissioner for Administration report found serious governance failures in flood defence works at Victoria Terrace in Laxey.

In a statement to Tynwald, Mr Crookall acknowledged that works at the rear of a house placed residents in a 'difficult and uncomfortable position'. 

He said the department accepted that its processes did not operate as they should have done, with failings including planning control, flood-risk consent, contract instruction, financial governance, record keeping, complaint handling and oversight.

The department said the approved design and construction approach for the river wall was changed during construction. A replacement structure was built but differed from the approved planning drawings and was not covered by the existing planning permission. 

This follows the DoI building, without authorisation, a patio in place of a flood defence wall on a private property in the village, costing taxpayers over £30.000.

That change should have triggered a formal pause, review and amended planning approval before works continued.

Mr Crookall said: "The department will not leave the affected owner to manage the consequences alone."

The proposed way forward is to remove the existing patio structure down to riverbed level and construct a new wall in line with the approved flood wall design. 

Before works begin, a condition survey will be undertaken of properties and grounds that could be affected.

The department will make good any damage caused by the remedial works and taxpayers will bear the associated costs.

The former MHK said that although best endeavours were made to undertake corrective action during the remaining river environmental working window this year, planning, contractual and time constraints mean work to remedy the situation will begin in June 2027.

Affected residents will not be left financially disadvantaged as a result of department-led works or the remedial process, with Mr Crookall apologising to those affected. 

He added that improved processes for managing contracts, financial control, decision recording and project governance have been implemented. 

A formal progress report on corrective actions will be provided until the matter is resolved.