Site investigations are due to be carried out this week at the site of the new bridge in Laxey with construction scheduled to start towards the end of this month.

Planning approval was granted for a single-span structure to replace the bridge that was destroyed by flash flooding in December.

Minor excavation of the river bed will be required to be carried out by the Department of Infrastructure to check the foundations and integrity of the remaining abutments. Site investigations are expected to take two days and are necessary to complete the design work. 

The new single-span bridge will reduce the likelihood of any future flood damage by allowing the river to flow unimpeded out to sea. The design will also give pedestrians greater priority and reduce the number of vehicles that use Old Laxey as a short-cut through the village.