Tynwald approved £16.3m for major schemes

A bid for £16.3m in funding for a new respite centre, a housing project and an updated airport drainage scheme has been supported by the Manx parliament.

The money included £6m from the government's capital financing reserve for the redevelopment of the Radcliffe Villas respite facility in Douglas and £5.3m for new homes in Colby.

A further £5m for a scheme to improve drainage and protect against flooding at the island's airport was also backed by Tynwald.

Treasury Minister Alex Allinson said the schemes would "deliver important infrastructure" for the island and residents.

The Ballacubbon Project, overseen by the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) housing team, will see the construction of 20 two-bedroom properties, including seven houses and four apartments for first-time buyers, as well as five public sector bungalows and four apartments.

The new respite facility, set to be built on land at the rear of the existing 1983-built accommodation, will house 12-bedrooms with ceiling track hoists, fully-equipped disabled bathrooms and office facilities for staff.

The airfield drainage improvement scheme has been designed to reduce surface water flooding and improve the Runway End Safety Areas to support aircraft "in the event any leave the paved surfaces", the government previously said.

During the debate, Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood said annual rainfall at the island's airport was the equivalent of "560 Olympic size swimming pools" and sewers were are "at capacity" during heavy rain events.

Tim Glover MHK suggested improving the main terminal should be a "bigger priority" than "doing the drains" as the public were "crying out for work to be done" on its appearance.

But while DOI member Dawn Kinnish MLC agreed the terminal was "tired", she said the project aimed to improve safety at the facility, which was "paramount".

Information on planned improvements to the passenger spaces would be announced in due course, she confirmed.

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