Ramsey Commissioners could start cleaning seaweed off beach

Monday, 28 August 2023 12:11

By Emma Draper

It's currently waiting for DEFA and MWT before a decision is made

Ramsey Commissioners have agreed to look into cleaning seaweed off the beach in the northern town.

The local authority says it’s had complaints from sea swimmers who claim that after easterly winds it washes onto the shore and starts to smell.

Figures show it could cost around £8,000 to remove it over 19 weeks of the year – it’s not known how much it would then cost to dispose of it.

Steve Kelly is the lead member for works and development and says the authority is waiting for feedback from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Manx Wildlife Trust:

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

A report provided to the commissioners states an initial clean - using a machine - would cost between £1,000 and £1,500 during March before nesting bird season starts.

It adds that doing the clean manually takes away the staff and resources from other areas, including weeding and grass cutting, at a 'critical' time.