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Storm Bram highlights need to progress sea defence schemes, says minister

Thursday, 11 December 2025 06:22

Picture credit: Department of Infrastructure

Michelle Haywood discusses plans to improve coastal infrastructure

The infrastructure minister says the level of coastal overtopping seen during Storm Bram this week has highlighted where work needs to be progressed on the Island's sea defence schemes.

Several roads and promenades were closed as waves brought stones and debris onto exposed coastal areas. 

The Ronaldsway Met Office had issued a rare red weather warning, indicating a risk to life. 

In Ramsey, where the quayside came 'very close' to flooding during Tuesday's storm, a flood defence scheme for West Quay is due to be submitted by the Department of Infrastructure 'this week'.

Meanwhile, in Douglas, work is yet to commence on the remaining sea wall between the war memorial and the Sea Terminal, and between the Empress Hotel and the northern end of the promenade.

A set of steel shutters forming part of the sea wall defences were also breached by waves earlier this month.

Read more HERE.

"Politicians sat around for years not really agreeing that climate change was real and we needed to do something about it - and had the decisions been taken 20-30 years ago, some of the things we built in the interim we wouldn't have built in the way we have done." - Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood

 
In the wake of Storm Bram, Manx Radio's Phil Gawne spoke to Infrastructure Minister Michelle Haywood:
 
 
In Laxey, where discussions around proposals for a new sea wall have gone quiet in recent years, a DOI team spent the day after Storm Bram clearing the promenade of stones and debris.
 
A 2012 investigation highlighted that Laxey harbour will overtop every year by 2115 and that there will be a 20 percent chance of waves rolling over the top of the sea wall each year.
 
As a result of climate change, Net Zero Isle of Man says the Island, like other coastal communities across in the UK, should expect sea levels to rise by up to 0.68m by 2080.
 
See more HERE.
 
Manx Radio has contacted the Department of Infrastructure for comment around work to improve Laxey's sea defences.
 
Despite a lack of sea wall, the minister says the eastern village is regarded as the 'poster-child' for flood defences, due to the work which has taken place along the river since the devastating floods of October 2019.
 
 

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