The place in the news was Laxey and more specifically the sea wall.
It is in the Laxey Harbour where the Laxey River meets the Irish Sea. At low water is the river is canalised in its passage through the Harbour. The Harbour dries out at this state of the tide. Also at this state of the tide (which is the state when I was there) at the end of the canalised section there are rapids before the river flows over the beach to meet the sea.
However when there is a gale blowwing from the east combined with a high-tide there is a great deal of over-topping and a large amount debris including stones, shells and seaweed can be deposited on the promenade. The photograph which accompaniesd the news article in the Isle of Man Courier shows the habour under these conditions.
In the article the newspaper's Local Government Report, Ewan Gawne reports that local politicianas [Garff Commissioners] have voted to back plans by the Isle of Man Government to build new sea walls, despite local opposition in the village.
It is further reported in the article that experts say that Laxey is vulnerable to storms and that climate change will make them worse.
The plans include a wall along the village promenade with a raised walkway and a harbour wall.
Here is the full text of the article taken from the print edition of the Isle of Man Courier for December 7 to 13, 2018:
"Authority back sea wall plan
By Ewan Gawne
Local government reporter
newsdesk@iomtoday.co.im
Local politicians have voted to back plans by the government to build new sea wall in Laxey, despite opposition in the village.
The Department of Infrastructure has previously stated that Garff Commissioners would have the final say on whether they go ahead.
Designed to protect against rising sea levels, the plans include a wall along the village promenade with raised walkway and harbour wall.
Commissioners agreed to support the scheme at a meeting held on Wednesday, provided conditions on issues over disabled access, harbour access and parking are met.
It comes after months of deliberation by residents, MHKs and the local authority over the perceived benefits of the scheme.
The Commissioners first voted on the proposal for a harbour wall along Tent Road was passed with six for one against.
Members also approved the more hotly-debated 1.2 meter promenade wall, which would taper in height to the slipway with five for and two against.
One commissioner, Julie Pinson, was unable to take part in the vote after being deemed to have a conflict of interest.
Infrastructure officials have yet to submit any formal planning application, although it is understood that plans will now soon emerge following the local authority's backing.
While debating the issue, commissioner Marinda Faragher said: 'We have to be responsible and back this, protecting residents.'
Those sentiments were echoed by commissioner Peter Kinnish, who said: 'It's on the table, there's money behind it and if we don't back it and the worst happens, its on our heads.'
Commissioner Jamie Smith voted against the proposal.
He said: 'I don't think it's the right solution or the right time, and I don't have confidence in the DoI to carry this out.'
Before the vote, members had the opportunity to question former Laxey harbour master John Cowley about his experience of the village beach and river management.
There was also opportunity to view a video presentation by JBA Consulting on the merits of various sea defences in protecting against coastal over-topping.
On Tuesday evening, senior weatherman Adrian Cowin gave a presentation to the board on the changing weather and predicted sea level rise."
The same story appeared online at the link shown below:
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The Isle of Man Courier(Digital Edition) can be found at the following link (the article appears on page 3)
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