Onchan Commissioners says DoI 'neglecting' road sweeping duties in village 

It was one of the topics discussed at its latest public meeting 

Onchan Commissioners says the Department of Infrastructure has not been adhering to its agreed weed killing routes.

The local authority claims the DoI should be carrying out the service on Main Road and Governors Road – however it believes these have been neglected.

It says it carries out weed killing on the other roads in the village, but Clerk Ross Phillips said he had received some complaints about the service.

He told the board that their options were to wait for the DoI to spray the roads or use rates money to pay for a one-off service.

Mr Phillips said the authority is nearly in its second round of weed spraying – and neither Main Road nor Governor’s Road have been serviced.

Commissioner Andrew Gibson said if the local authority was to carry out the weed killing, it should be charged back to the DoI – which David Quirk agreed with.

However, Commissioner Robin Turton said it wasn’t the job of the board ‘full stop’.

He added that residents who complain should be directed to the government department.

The commissioners agreed to write a public letter to the department asking them to uphold their end of the agreement.

Also on the agenda was a discussion about a private meeting being held with Orsted.

Chair Anthony Allen said following the drop-in session organised by the local authority, Orsted agreed to meet the commissioners privately.

Both Mr Turton and Commissioner Gabriella Corkish felt Orsted should be meeting with residents rather than the board, whilst Commissioner Scott Wilson said he believes the windfarm debate is causing rifts in local communities.

And the local authority has submitted plans to help redevelop Kenyon’s Youth Café.

The clerk confirmed £50,000 has been allocated from rates to support the plans, but more money would be sought through grant schemes.

But it can’t apply for external funding until planning permission had been granted.

Onchan Commissioners will next meet on Monday 27 July.