Ronan under pressure over marina silt

The environment minister has told Tynwald that three areas of sea were identified as possible dumping grounds in the discussions over how to dispose of contaminated silt from Peel Marina.

Two were off the north of the Island and one in the south, but Richard Ronan said it was feared that the dredged silt would then drift into valuable fishing grounds.

He said his officers made decisions in the face of a probable closure of Peel marina if action to reduce silting wasn't taken.

Onchan MHK David Quirk asked about the process leading to the current position, in which the silt is being temporarily stored on land near Poortown quarry.

He also queried a government press advert asking for public input: