Police report from Port St Mary:
At 6.25pm today, a member of the public contacted the Emergency Services Joint Control Room reporting a land slippage in the area known as ‘Happy Valley’ in Port St. Mary.
Emergency Services personnel from the Police and the Fire and Rescue attended the area and after assessment, the main road into and out of Port St Mary Village has been closed from its junction with Victoria Road to its junction with the Bay View Hotel.
To ensure the safety of the public is not compromised, at this time 12 properties in the immediate area of the land slippage have been evacuated and the occupants taken to a refuge area within Port St. Mary Town Hall.
In addition to the Emergency Services staff, personnel from the Department of Transport and the Civil Defence (under the guidance of the Emergency Planning Officer) are at the scene to inspect and assess the land and to co-ordinate the evacuation and safe refuge of property occupants disturbed.
They have been greatly assisted by members of the local community.
At this time, the efforts of all agencies are toward ensuring community safety and assisting persons evacuated. Those efforts will continue and be supported by a fuller evaluation of the extent of the land slippage in due course.
Motorists needing to exit or gain access to the lower section of Port St. Mary Village should note that the designated route is via the Cronk Road, The Lhargan and Plantation Road.
Police Officers will be on duty to assist with the traffic flow. As a consequence, drivers should allow extra time
for journeys and be especially prepared to show tolerance and courtesy to other drivers using the same section of roadway.
Members of the community using the Bus Service should note that at the present time and until further notice, the Bus service for Port St. Mary will terminate in the grounds of the Scoill Phurt le Moirrey. This location is also where the School buses will collect pupils. This collection will be at the normal time.
Police request that if possible, parents should drive their children to Scoill Puirt Le Moirrey for collection by the School buses. This is to avoid pedestrian traffic in the Lhargan / Cronk Road area at a time when it is anticipated that it will be very busy with moving vehicles.
