Concerns aired over Cairns site sewage plan at Laxey meeting

Laxey residents had a chance to outline their concerns about plans for a sewage treatment plant in the heart of the village at a public meeting last night.

Around 100 people gathered at the Pavilion in Laxey Glen Gardens to find out more about Manx Utilities (MU) proposal for a facility at the eastern side of the harbour.

The application has been put forward in a bid to stop the pumping of raw sewage into Laxey Bay by treating the waste at the new plant, and will cost ‘several million pounds’.

A new harbour bridge is included as part of the plans to allow tankers access to the ‘Cairns site’ to remove the leftover sludge, once the waste has been treated and discharged at sea.

Many residents are worried about the impact a new works will have on the village; concerns include the impact on tourism, flood risk, tankers driving on Laxey’s roads past homes and schools, and the smell.

During the meeting, community stalwart Stewart Clague presented a petition with more than 400 signatures outlining opposition to Manx Utilities plans.

MU insists the chosen site represents the best value for money as it utilises existing infrastructure and comes without the cost of pumping uphill.