Homemade sign causes issues for bin collections in Lezayre

It was one of the topics discussed at last night's commissioners meeting

By Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper:

Lezayre Commissioners met last night to discuss the latest issues affecting the parish.

This includes preparation for the Draft North and West Area Plan inquiry, the installation of a puffin crossing outside Sulby School and a homemade sign which has been causing trouble for the bin collections.

The sign was made allegedly because a local landowner had concerns about the speed of vehicles using the road and the sign asks for people to drive at five miles an hour.

However, Julian Teare said some residents who live along there had not had their bins emptied because of it, and it’s becoming a public health issue.

He said the land owner added an extra sign with a caveat which excludes bin men and agricultural vehicles, rather than taking it down.

The commissioners agreed there’s not much they can do due to the road being private.

One item that sparked debate at Lezayre Commissioners was the planned installation of a puffin crossing and four street lights outside Sulby Primary School.

The commissioners agreed a crossing point was needed outside the school, but said because it didn’t ask for extra street lights, an agreement would have to be reached about costs and timers.

Commissioner Viv Quane said the local authority shouldn’t be paying for them, however Vice Chair Karl Brew said if it’s for road safety purposes then it would be essential.

The issue of timers also arose, because the current cycle is a switch on at 3.30pm and off at midnight it was agreed that this would be unsuitable, and the new lights would have to go on their own timers.

The commissioners agreed to email the Department of Infrastructure and Manx Utilities and ask for separate timers but agreed to cover the maintenance of the lights and electricity.

It’s planned for the new puffin crossing and associated street lights will be installed in October.

Also on the agenda was the plan for the Draft North and West Area Plan public inquiry which starts later this month.

Chair Julian Teare listed a number of points he will be speaking about on behalf of the board.

These included the future of agricultural land and finding out what government will be doing to promote the Island’s farming industry.

He also will be asking about the provision of water and essential utilities.

Other issues on his list include finding out about a provision for a sports field in Lezayre as well as restrictions on the number of houses which can be built.

The clerk said there was confusion on the plan as to whether the number of dwellings listed for certain fields is the minimum or maximum.

There is also some land zoned in Lezayre which Mr Teare will be raising queries about.

Lezayre Commissioners will next meet on 8 August.