| Livestock Fences Mean Go For TT 2002 |
| Government plans to build fences on agricultural land surrounding the TT
course in order to keep livestock five metres away from the roads.
Chief Minister Donald Gelling announced the measure at Tuesday's Tynwald
sitting to ensure next year's TT goes ahead even if the foot-and-mouth
disease still exists in the UK.
He said the government was taking the opposite to normal approach by
'keeping livestock away from people'.
This year's races were cancelled amid fears the Island would be hit by the
disease but it proved detrimental to the tourism industry. Mr Gelling said
this would be avoided at all costs for next year. At Thursday s meeting the Council of Ministers backed the decision to proceed with the TT regardless of the UK situation. Mr Gelling said: 'The only option we had in 2001 was to close most rural spectator areas in order to keep people away from livestock. 'With a much longer time-scale for planning and implementation we would look at the opposite approach - keep livestock away from people. 'This will involve the creation of livestock-free corridors around the TT course primarily by the erection of a second line of fencing set back around five metres from the main fence or hedge.' An initial cost assessment by government has estimated that between £500,000-£1 million will be spent on the contingency plan. LINK: www.iomonline.co.im
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