Northern tip to close for operator changeover

The tip in the north of the Isle of Man is set to temporarily close from 23 March while it switches operator, the local authority currently operating the site has said.

Ramsey Commissioners currently run the Northern Civic Amenity Site (NCAS) on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) but the contract will cease at the end of the month.

The DOI is in the process of putting a new contractor in place with the aim of the site – which serves seven local authority areas – being reopened on 1 April.

The changes come after Bride Commissioners pulled their funding contribution in April 2024, prompting Ramsey to hand back the operating contract.

Ramsey Commissioners has operated the site on behalf of its fellow northern authorities Ballaugh, Lezayre, Garff, Andreas, Jurby, and Bride - which make up the NCAS joint committee - since 2017.

After the withdrawal of Bride's £67,000 contribution in 2024, the committee notified the government it would stop operating the site the following April, relying on reserves and reduced opening hours and services to remain open until then.

In March last year, the DOI confirmed it would take over the management of the site with funding from all local authorities reinstated.

Following a tender process, the department is now due to have a new operator for the site in place from April.

DOI Minister Tim Crookall previously confirmed there was "expected to be a short changeover period between operators" and the department was "working to minimise disruption".

In a statement, Ramsey Commissioners said the temporary closure period would "enable essential works to ensure a smooth and safe transition between operators".

"We appreciate the public's understanding and patience during this time," it added.

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