Upgrade to 'essential' sewage network to continue

Drivers have been warned of disruption on a key route in the south of the Isle of Man when a project to improve "essential wastewater infrastructure" continues next year.

Manx Utilities (MU) originally began the project to upgrade the network at Kewaigue, in Douglas, in April but it was paused after initial investigation works to allow for design changes.

The works will replace the 1987-built Kewaigue pumping station with a new gravity sewer in Heron & Brearley Brewery grounds and along Old Castletown Road.

The project is set to see disruption on that southbound road between February and April.

Traffic flow on the Old Castletown Road is set to be reduced to a single lane, controlled by two-way temporary traffic lights between 16 February and 17 April.

Access to pavements along the road will be maintained during the school holidays only, between 16 and 20 February and 13 and 17 April.

The government-owned utilities provider said initial investigations had "identified a need to refine the proposed route", so further work had been needed to "optimise the design".

The project would now restart in January 2026, with the aim of it being completed by May ahead of the 2026 TT races.

MU said the new pumping station and associated pipeline would "address health and safety risks associated with access" to the current pumping station as well as "reducing annual operating costs and future expenses".

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