Isle of Man Guide

The Department of Infrastructure has today issued a Snow Code to help people clear snow safely.

Member with responsibility for Operations Division, Graham Cregeen MHK Said,

“We want to encourage the public to make the paths outside their homes safe and to spare a thought for their neighbours who may not find it easy to get out. We don’t want people to be put off doing the right thing because they are scared of being sued.

When it snows, the Division’s employees go into action around the clock to try and get the Island moving again as soon as possible. During the recent snow fall over 3000 hours were put in by the teams clearing snow, treating ice and responding to 300 emergency calls per day. Cumulatively they treated over 9000 miles of highway; however, the reality is that we do not have the resources to do everything that the public has now come to expect during a prolonged snow period.

Following the Department’s experience during January’s snow this year we decided that we needed to stop complaining about people taking salt from the salt bins for their paths, drives, pavements, and the roads near to their house. Instead the Department realised that we should start helping people and businesses to help themselves, the Department and their communities, hence, the decision to deliver salt to the Civic Amenity sites for the public. We are also working with Local Authorities and other Government Departments to coordinate, prioritise and maximise our efforts. I have been delighted and impressed with work put in by everybody involved and thank them for their continued efforts in difficult conditions and I hope that this Snow Code will encourage people to help make their community safe.”

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