Runway concerns addressed

The Agriculture Minister’s moved to allay concerns up to a quarter of the Island’s most bio-diverse inter-tidal area could be destroyed if a £42 million runway extension at Ronaldsway Airport goes ahead.

Onchan MHK Peter Karran (pictured, left) believes if the proposed promontory is built into the sea at the eastern end of the runway, up to 25 per cent of the specie-rich area in question would be lost.

The Department of Agriculture does have concerns on environmental grounds but Minister Phil Gawne (pictured, right) says the national interest for an essential runway extension is the overriding one.

But he insists mitigating measures would be in place and his department are working with all parties concerned to have the least possible effect on the wildlife area: