Following on from yesterday’s statement about the elm tree tunnel on the Braaid road, Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) CEO and Conservation Officers went to St Marks to visit the site this afternoon.

Today MWT CEO, Leigh Morris, has done several media interviews that will be going out across the Isle of Man and UK media today and tomorrow including Manx Radio, IOM Newspapers and the Independent Newspaper, he will also be filmed tomorrow by BBC IOM for North West Tonight.

We are delighted at the positive response on social media and the upwelling of support for these trees, including personal support from several notable people in the IOM and celebrity conservationist Chris Packham, who has been in personal contact with MWT regarding this issue.

We are also pleased that DEFA has come back with an immediate response, which we have shared through our channels and Leigh has also had positive conversation with the landowner this afternoon.

We want everybody to know that MWT aren’t against appropriate development and absolutely recognise the importance of road safety, however, the site visit today has reaffirmed our view that this is a special tunnel of Elm trees, which should remain. Other options to improve road safety should be looked at and we hope the Island can enable this to happen.