The Isle of Man Examiner dated 24th November 2009 carried an article concerning the trackbed of the former Peel Line which, it is claimed, is in an unfit stated to be used as a cycle and footpath.  Recent weather on the island has seen the former route, which closed in September 1968, become waterlogged in places and this has triggered complaints from visitors with whom the trail is very popular.  The trackbed was marketed as the Heritage Trail in 1991 when noticeboards were erected at various places along the line denoting a brief history of the route.

Various areas of the trail are currently waterlogged with potholes, marshy ground and stagnant pools according to the article.  The state deteriorates west of St. John's where it has been claimed that a stream has established itself on the trackbed making the completion of the route to the westerly city of Peel all but impossible.  The Department of Transport, who are responsible for the upkeep of the trail have been informed and David Quirk M.H.K., the department's spokesman said "the department is keen to upgrade the entire length of the heritage trail to a proper cycle route which we agree would be highly desirable as an alternative route for cyclists to the main A1 Douglas-Peel road . . . however this is unlikely to happen for at least two years and is dependent of the prgoress of the I.R.I.S. programme of works . . . "

It is understood that only a small section is impassable, and this will be remedied in the short-term to allow fare passage through to the former terminus.  The issues cannot simply be resolved by laying tarmacadam as the underlying problem is that of proper drainage.  The optimistic members of the Supporters' Association will no doubt feel that if proper ballast is put down to improve drainage, then why not put some rail and sleepers down and have done?!  The reinstatement of the 1873 line is one of the more frequently asked questions to the committee but it is highly unlikely to happen in the current financial climate - we can but dream . . .