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Local authorities face 20% rise in bill to run tip

Richard BakerIsle of Man
News imageNorthern civic amenity site Sign of the Northern Civic Amenity Site in Balladoole. Mountains are seen behind.Northern civic amenity site
The tip, near Ramsey, closed earlier this week

Next month's reopening of a rubbish tip in the north of the Isle of Man will cost local authorities an additional 20%, the island's infrastructure minister has confirmed.

The Northern Civic Amenity Site, at Balladoole near Ramsey, closed on Monday at the end of a contract held by Ramsey Commissioners, which ran it on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).

The site, which serves seven local authority areas, will be managed by Manx Rock, a private road maintenance contractor, when it reopens in mid-to-late April, said Tim Crookall MHK.

The annual costs of running the tip are expected to be £518,400, representing a 20% increase on 2024.

'Slick as possible'

The DOI took over management of the site in April 2025, with the Ramsey local authority continuing to operate it on its behalf.

The site, formerly administered by a board of representatives from the seven northern authorities, was facing closure amid a £67,000 funding gap after Bride Commissioners withdrew.

With a planned reopening potentially not happening until the end of April, Lawrie Hooper MHK asked the infrastructure minister what residents could do in the meantime to dispose of their waste.

Crookall replied: "We're hoping to open the site as soon as possible [but] the public may be able to use other amenity sites until the new one opens or contact a local waste contractor.

"We know it'll be frustrating for those in the North if the site isn't opened but we will keep them informed."

The minister said he hoped the transition process would be as "slick as possible" for residents.

News imageIOM government Tim Crookall stands for a portrait. He has short, silver hair and thick eyebrows. He is standing in front of a Manx flag.IOM government
Tim Crookall MHK expects the site to reopen under new management next month

Crookall noted that the final governance structure for the tip had yet to be decided, but added that the DOI would prefer a joint board working alongside Manx Rock.

The uplift in annual running costs is said to reflect the planned introduction of "improved services" such as the return of a dedicated recycling centre for unwanted items.

Crookall said local authorities were told about the uplift in costs, with them being asked to "make provisions" in their budgets.

Hooper said when the site was lastly fully operational in 2024, its annual budget was £432,000.

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