Petition launched to get the re-use shed at the Nothern Civic Amenity Site opened

A petition has been set up by the Liberal Vannin Party to re-open the Northern Civic Amenity site’s re-use shed.

The party says it is a ‘valuable’ resource for the community in Ramsey, Garff and across the other parishes.

The petition, started by Chair Paul Weatherall, says the site allowed residents to drop off unwanted items that were still in good condition, which others could then take and reuse.

He adds that since its closure, the community has felt the absence of this ‘vital’ facility.

The re-use shed area has been closed following a period of instability at the Northern Civic Amenity Site earlier this year, when it was threatened with permanent closure.

It’s now run by the Department of Infrastructure and Ramsey Commissioners operate the site on its behalf.

Mr Weatherall, who’s also a Ballaugh Commissioner, says re-opening the area would bring ‘numerous’ benefits including reducing landfill waste and lessening the environmental footprint of the community.

He believes it would ‘reflect well’ on the community and would also help to ‘reinforce’ the Island’s commitment to sustainable practices.

The re-use shed allowed people to take things for free, which the petition says served as a ‘bridge’ for economic relief for many.  

And that its re-opening would support people who are ‘vulnerable’ in the area, providing them access to necessary goods during ‘challenging’ economic times.

He adds that Ramsey Commissioners and the Department of Infrastructure have the power to re-open the shed.

Mr Weatherall believes the authorities could restore a ‘significant’ community asset but also ‘demonstrate’ a commitment to innovation in sustainability practices.

The petition also says the commissioners and government need to consider the impact the facility has on people and the environment.

The petition can be found here.