Projects

This story began during a routine meeting on 5th March 2007 with Tim Crookall, MHK with responsibility for footpaths, and two members of the Highways Team, Bill Corlett, Operations Manager, and Anna Goldsmith Rights of Way Officer. The discussion was about the old rail track from St Johns to Ramsey and the breaks in the through Right of Way. The suggestion was made that the section over Glen Mooar to Ballaleigh could be opened up and make a continuous path from Douglas to Kella near Sulby.

MFCG Task Force undertook to look at this and if practicable to cut back the growth and where necessary install a footpath up the Glen side by ramps and steps as required. Peter Hulley and John Payne did a preliminary survey on 10th April, whilst Fred Hodgson obtained both aerial photographs and drawings. These were then used to assess how big the project would be. There were no experts around to advise us that it was impossible, so we just advised Highways that we would do it.

On 17th April we proceeded to draw up a plan of what was needed and where. Both Highways and Dept of Forests confirmed their agreement.

Overgrown 400m of track	The Line

20th April. Plans were submitted and following a site meeting with Highways they were approved in principle subject to re-routing the path to the eastern upstream side of the viaduct. This would require a completely new Footbridge but Highways undertook to make one.

17th May. We got the official go ahead and Anna instructed Mark Leadley, Joiner, to start the bridge while we will tackle the overgrown rail track from the Ballaleigh end.

19th June. Our 1st Work party cleared the first half of the rail track in good time.

Peter & John's First Visit

You can just see Peter by the Pier