The department of transport says it is committed to minimising adverse environmental effects when carrying out schemes.

It follows concerns voiced by Duncan Bridges of the Manx Wildlife Trust in relation to a marina in Ramsey.

Mr Bridges believes plans to place a tidal barrier across the mouth of the Sulby River would be catastrophic.

He is concerned that impounding part of the harbour over low water, to create a marina, would have an adverse environmental impact.

James Davis has more (text, below, from attached audio file):

Director of Harbours, Captain Michael Brew (pictured), says the concern appeared to be for the lower Sulby River and the section of river immediately upstream of the Bowring Road bridge, and not the harbour itself.

He says that for Mr Bridges’ concerns to be realised, the impounded water level would need to be higher than the small weir situated below the bridge.

Captain Brew says it is likely that any impounded water level will be about one metre below the top of the weir, and therefore the lower Sulby River would be unaffected.

He goes on to say his department is at the beginning of a process that will consider various development options.