Slipway replacement project to take place in sensitive natural environment

Tue, 18 Aug 2020

A project to replace a slipway at Derbyhaven will get underway this week.

The current slipway, used during emergencies and exercises at Isle of Man Airport, has reached the end of its useable life and is no longer suitable for the airport fire station’s rescue boat.

The slipway is located in an ecologically important area, within Langness, Sandwick and Derbyhaven Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and bird sanctuary, and Langness Marine Nature Reserve.

Due to be completed by the end of September, the work has been scheduled to avoid creating a disturbance during the main migrating and wintering period, and bird breeding season.

The new slipway will be located away from the existing one in order to avoid damage to an area of saltmarsh which is a rare habitat on Island. The current slipway will be demolished and the habitat restored to shingle beach.

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