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Storm Barra: Isle of Man clean-up under way as gales ease

BBC Digger cleaning debris built up on beachBBC
An all-island workforce is clearing debris from Tuesday's storm

A mass clean-up operation is under way across the Isle of Man in the aftermath of Storm Barra.

The high winds cancelled ferries, closed roads and uprooted more than 60 trees, leaving branches blocking routes and pathways all around the island.

Walls came down along Douglas promenade from the force of waves crashing over the sea wall at high tide, submerging the well-known Sunken Gardens.

Wind speeds reached 80mph (128km/h) in Douglas and Castletown.

Elsewhere, scaffolding fell from building sites and tiles came off roofs.

Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure Tree blocking road in LaxeyIsle of Man Department of Infrastructure
Trees came down in Laxey completely blocking roads

Work to clear up coastal roads and promenades of debris is now under way.

Volunteers from the island's civil defence were also working with the Department of Infrastructure as teams continue to tackle dangerous spots all around the island.

Walls collapsed in Douglas promenade's Sunken Gardens
Walls collapsed along Douglas promenade flooding the Sunken Gardens

A number of fallen trees were moved to the roadside rather than cleared altogether due to the pressure of calls on Tuesday, meaning many will be removed later.

An infrastructure spokesman said staff "worked closely with our colleagues from the emergency services to keep people safe and keep the island moving".

Wall down in playground within Douglas prom's sunken gardens
A playground on Douglas promenade was littered with rubble after a wall came down
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