Campaigners want investigation into Laxey sewage farm proposals

A campaign group wants a parliamentary investigation to take place to examine 'huge inaccuracies' in the costing of a planned new sewage works for Laxey and Baldrine.

Best 4 Laxey have campaigned against a proposal to site a sewage farm in the heart of Laxey village. 

The scheme was opposed by Garff Commissioners and thrown out by planners. 

Now, the Best 4 Laxey Bay group has appealed to Tynwald's environmental and infrastructure policy review committee to investigate the latest plan, claiming that pumping to the central treatment works at Meary Veg is more environmentally-friendly and works out cheaper than the regional works the MU consulting engineers (Arcadis) want to progress.

A spokesman for the group said: "Ian George of Arcadis has provided the costing comparisons for a 50 year period. Their figures for a regional works are £18.3 million compared to the option of pumping away at £24.8 million.

We challenged these figures and were fortunate to secure the services of a qualified cost accountant consultant who has experience in calculating Net Present Values and Life Cycle Costs. We're confident that the pump away option is actually at least £3.1 million LESS expensive than the regional works.

This raises very important questions and doubts over a government department’s ability and integrity to cost a major infrastructure project. We are all mindful of recent and ongoing Government major infrastructure costings crises."

The group is dedicated to ensuring pollution-free waters in Laxey bay.