Patrick Commissioners won't be replacing gate on Glen Rushen Road  

It was one of the issues discussed at its public meeting last night

Patrick Commissioners says a gate on Glen Rushen Road will not be replaced due to its new status as a greenway.

The local authority had been contacted by a neighbouring property as well as a group of local horse riders about its removal.

The gate had been put in place by the Department of Infrastructure at the request of the British Horse Society Isle of Man.

Jessica Clague from the organisation told the commissioners that it wasn’t installed correctly and wasn’t ‘horse friendly’ due to its height and the latch being too low.

She said the group offered to pay for a new gate but that was rejected and the DOI subsequently removed it.

Ms Clague added that a second metal gate further along should be kept due to it being a footpath, however the wooden gate hadn’t been serving a purpose.

She told the board that there about 40 horses that use the greenway and said if people would like horses to be off the road then there needs to be accessible routes.

Clerk to the commissioners Claire Cope said its removal should’ve been communicated to the property owners.

She added that she would contact the DOI about its removal and ask for signage to go up instead.

Also on the agenda was a discussion about the Western Civic Amenity Site and its operations.

John Anderson, the board's representative, said the site has been facing a number of issues which he was unable to discuss in public, but that the staff are being supported.

He added that they’re often getting a ‘hard time’ from some members of the public.

Mr Anderson also confirmed a new website is being developed for the site to try and aid communication with residents.

He told the board that previous situations have happened that shouldn’t have and the site committee is working to make the site suitable – which he said isn’t a ‘quick fix’ but is heading in the ‘right direction’.  

And there was a public meeting held about works to Kionslieu Dam by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture which was attended by a couple of the commissioners.

Member Leo Cussons said the plans were well presented to the 25 residents who went along.

He added that it’s hoped the work will begin next year and take about four months to complete.

Patrick Commissioners will next meet on Monday 8 December.