The Department of Infrastructure wants to hand over responsibility for some of its road maintenance services to local authorities.

Minister Phil Gawne says he is keen to start a discussion about devolving services including hedge cutting, gully emptying, minor road safety matters and minor road and pavement repairs, along with off street parking and public toilet provision.

The DOI would retain responsibility for these services on what he describes as 'strategic routes'.

Mr Gawne said: 'Local services for local people delivered at a local level is something I feel passionately about. I hope that most, if not all, local authorities will welcome this opportunity to discuss the delivery of more services in the community. The pressure for some kind of reform is becoming overwhelming and this is a genuine attempt to start an honest and objective dialogue.'

He says any additional burden on ratepayers could be offset by freezing the proposed rise in waste disposal costs for local authorities.

Mr Gawne said: 'If we get this right it could be a defining moment in the development of a stronger system of local government for the Manx people.'

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