The Manx Electric Railway will be able to open for business at the start of April, despite damage caused during the storms.

The two metre sink hole is near Ballaglass Glen, Maughold.

Specialist engineers have now inspected it, and initial repairs are to be carried out urgently.

The line should open as planned on April 4.

The work will be phased - firstly to make sure the trams can run and then a second phase to upgrade drainage in the area.

That will be followed by a third phase for long-term alterations.

The initial repairs will cost in the region of ?20,000 to make the line safe.

In the last two years, storm damage has cost the railways ?500,000.

In addition Isle of Man Railways has undertaken a schedule of planned improvements, including more than 200 metres of life-expired track renewed at Howstrake before Christmas.

That cost ?100,000.