Authority to join talks on Ramsey sea wall plan

Commissioners will reconsider plans for new flood defences in Ramsey after the latest set of proposals were withdrawn following another public backlash.

The Department of Infrastucture (DOI) said "serious concerns" about the planned height of the town's sea wall and a proposed loss of parking spaces along West Quay had resulted in them being pulled.

The original sea defence proposals were withdrawn in 2022 over similar concerns.

Sandra Cottam-Shea, from the board of Ramsey Town Commissioners, said the authority would "create a sub-committee that will work with the DOI, attend meetings and report back".

The board would ensure "we're all agreed and truly representing the inherent wishes of locals", said Cottam-Shea.

The latest plans would have seen the construction of a 4ft 3in (1.3m) high structure, along with areas for walking and cycling in Ramsey Port.

The scheme was designed to protect 400 properties from flooding.

However, it would also have meant the loss of 52 parking spaces on the quayside, said the DOI.

In recent years Ramsey has been identified as one of the highest risk areas for flooding on the Isle of Man, along with Castletown where defences costing about £2.3m were built in 2018.

Cottam-Shea said: "It's not that we are unaware that we need some sort of flood defences, but it's working with everybody, retailers, hospitality outlets.

"It's a large wall and a lot of parking spaces, so it's [about] meeting in the middle, finding a reasonable solution."

As well as concerns over the wall and parking, Cottam-Shea added there were "fundamental technical issues" about where floodwater would be redirected.

For the authority, she said they would want to see the height of the wall reduced and more attention given to the "working harbour" to better accommodate access to fishing vessels.

"We also need to look after the hospitality side... to look after their clientele," she said.

"We have a great town, we want to keep it safe - I'm not denying that - but we also want to keep it beautiful."

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