Friday March 20th saw the start of the 2015 operations on the MER. Services will continue until Sunday November 8th. Snaefell services began on Friday March 27th.
Since the start of operations passengers have been able to see for themselves work which has been done at Laxey station this winter including the installation of the controversial ''HARDSCAPE' New Rustenburg" brush hammered Chinese granite as first thought - paving shown in the picture (ABOVE). Overall, the alterations to the station since 2013 are reported to have cost in the region of £930,000.
Reaction to the revamped station by passengers has been mixed. One aspect of the work which could have been foreseen is the way tramcars have been leaking oil onto the non porous granite surface, something which will need to be looked at as the season progresses.
Replica benches are starting to appear on the station. These are a result of opposition within the Regeneration Committee to the Hartecast street furniture originally proposed (BELOW) some of which is now appearing elsewhere in the village.
These MER-style rustic benches (BELOW) have been commissioned separately to the 'regeneration' budget and are instead the result of separate funding from Laxey Commissioners and private individuals.
Nearby works to the village square are on going and may be completed in time for a ceremonial reopening of the station next month.
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