Department of Infrastructure
952 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 47.4%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure reveal an authority that is selectively transparent, often prioritizing commercial confidentiality and administrative convenience over public scrutiny. A recurring theme is the 'black box' nature of major transport procurement; while the Department readily discloses the existence of projects like the Douglas Promenade or the purchase of Mercedes buses, it consistently withholds specific financial figures, citing commercial sensitivity (Cases 355921, 361167). Furthermore, the Department frequently relies on the 'information not held' exemption to avoid answering questions about specific costs for major events like the TT (Case 355883) or historical road adoptions (Case 355761), suggesting significant gaps in data retention and financial granularity.
Key Cases
Case 355857 — This case marks a critical turning point where the Department invoked the 'vexatious' exemption to block a series of requests regarding the Douglas Promenade and steam locomotives. It highlights the tension between persistent public scrutiny and the administrative burden, effectively shutting down a line of inquiry that had previously yielded partial results.
Case 355921 — A significant disclosure regarding the procurement of Mercedes buses, where the Department explicitly cited commercial sensitivity to withhold pricing and contract details. This case exemplifies the 'black box' nature of major transport spending, where the public knows buses were bought but not the specific financial terms.
Case 449033 — This case is notable for being 'Upheld - partial' following an internal review. The Information Commissioner found the Department had incorrectly applied a 'not held' exemption to the ZipTrip app costs, forcing a re-processing. It serves as a rare instance of the Department's initial refusal being challenged and corrected, revealing hidden financial data.
Case 355883 — The refusal to provide specific costs for TT (Tourist Trophy) road repairs, claiming they are not recorded separately from normal activities. Given the TT is the island's most significant economic event, the inability to isolate its infrastructure costs raises questions about financial accountability for major events.
Case 358461 — The complete withholding of information regarding a 2013 electric shock incident on the Manx Electric Railway due to 'ongoing legal proceedings.' This case underscores how legal risk is used as a blanket exemption to prevent the public from understanding the safety history of heritage transport.
Related FOI Stories
The Douglas Promenade: From Transparency to Vexatious Refusal — #355795, #355857, #355859, #355861, #355863
Commercial Secrecy in Transport Procurement — #355763, #355921, #361167, #355893, #356129
Data Gaps and 'Not Held' Defenses — #355761, #355773, #355883, #355895, #361191
Safety Incidents and Legal Exemptions — #358443, #358461, #355863, #355921, #548540
Housing and Social Welfare Opacity — #355805, #358449, #358451, #355925, #647165
All (952)
All information sent (451) ·
Some information sent but not all held (145) ·
Information not held (123) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (120) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (53) ·
Not required to fulfill request (22) ·
Not upheld (12) ·
Upheld - partial (10) ·
Vexatious request (6) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (5) ·
Withdrawn (3) ·
Upheld - full (1) ·
Neither confirm or deny information held (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-24 | Current number of air traffic controllers at Ronaldsway Airport | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the total number of air traffic controllers at Ronaldsway Airport. The authority responded by disclosing that there are currently 12 controllers able to undertake duties. | ||
| 2026-02-20 | MHK PARKING | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for statistics on cancelled Fixed Penalty Notices for MHKs and details on MHK parking bays. The Department of Infrastructure refused the first part due to the excessive cost of collation but disclosed that there are 17 bays available at £95 per month. | ||
| 2026-02-18 | Local Authority FOI's submitted through DOI portal. | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a list of FOI request volumes, reference numbers, and subject titles submitted to local authorities via the Department of Infrastructure portal between March 2025 and February 2026. The Department of Infrastructure responded that it does not hold this information because it only provides technical support for the portal, while local authorities act as the data controllers. | ||
| 2026-02-18 | Housing Agency Meetings | All information sent |
| The request sought details regarding Housing Agency meetings, including dates, attendees, independent members, and public minutes. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed all requested information, confirming five meetings took place between October 2025 and January 2026 with no independent members attending. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | Cancellation of flights | All information sent |
| A request was made to verify easyJet's claim that ground operations were suspended at Isle of Man Airport on 27 January 2026 due to strong winds. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing detailed METAR weather reports showing wind speeds and conditions during the incident. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | AIC Record Preservation Policies | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought policies regarding record preservation and deletion authority for Airport Identity Card (AIC) applications, specifically concerning disputes and legal proceedings. The Department of Infrastructure partially disclosed the 'Pass Office Programme' document (Version 7.0) but redacted specific sections citing Section 25 exemptions. | ||
| 2026-02-17 | Easyjet, Saturday am flight 14th February 2026 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought information regarding the operational status and staffing of Isle of Man Airport on the morning of February 15, 2026, specifically concerning a delayed Easyjet flight. The authority disclosed a partial Fire Service watch room log from February 14, 2026, detailing staffing changes and wildlife vehicle movements, but withheld other requested documents citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2026-02-10 | Bus Shelter Costs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for detailed cost breakdowns of bus shelters constructed or replaced by the Department of Infrastructure between September 2021 and March 2026. The authority responded with a list of locations and work types but provided costs only in broad ranges to protect commercial sensitivity, rather than exact figures. | ||
| 2026-02-10 | TTRN public consultation Document as required | All information sent |
| The requester asked for public consultation documents submitted by Forest Homes regarding a road closure at 28-30 Derby Square under TTRN regulations. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that all requested information was sent, including a notice of commencement for phase 2 traffic management measures. | ||
| 2026-02-09 | New Royal Avenue Bus Shelter | All information sent |
| A requester inquired about the quality and cost of a new bus shelter base on Royal Avenue, which they claimed resembled a paddling pool. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the works have not been signed off due to quality concerns and disclosed the specific cost of the base installation. | ||
| 2026-02-09 | Public sector leases | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for statistics on council tenants in fixed-term contracts and the legality of such agreements. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed specific tenant counts from June 2025 and confirmed the legal basis for tenancies, but noted it does not hold data on future contract placements. | ||
| 2026-02-06 | IOM Airport CCTV Policy | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for all current and historic CCTV policies and privacy documentation for Isle of Man Airport from the last ten years. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing some held documents but confirmed that other requested information was not held or could not be found after reasonable steps. | ||
| 2026-02-06 | IOM Airport - health and safety policy | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for all health and safety policy documents for Isle of Man Airport covering the last ten years for staff, contractors, and the public. The Department of Infrastructure responded with excerpts from the Aerodrome Manual (v2 Feb 2021) detailing current health, safety, security, and environmental policies, noting that not all requested information was held. | ||
| 2026-02-04 | Contribution to NCAS by the Northern Local Authorities. | Information not held |
| The requester asked for financial contributions from Northern Local Authorities to the Northern Civic Amenity Site for three specific financial years. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting Ramsey Town Commissioners or reviewing individual authority accounts. | ||
| 2026-02-02 | Cost of Cats Eyes | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the Department of Infrastructure's spending on cats eyes over the past 10 years, but the authority only disclosed total installation costs for the last two years because the specific purchase price is bundled with installation fees. | ||
| 2026-01-29 | Former Minister Comments - Castletown Governance | Information not held |
| A request for documents regarding governance failures and corruption allegations at Castletown Town Commissioners was largely refused as the Department of Infrastructure stated it does not hold the specific briefing papers, audits, or policy assessments requested. | ||
| 2026-01-27 | Douglas Promenade Wall | All information sent |
| The request inquired about the completion status of artwork, lighting, and a sea wall at Harris and Loch Promenades. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that artwork design is ongoing with no final date, lighting infrastructure is ready for installation, and the Loch Promenade wall construction is likely to commence in late 2026. | ||
| 2026-01-27 | Risk Assessments on wind | Information not held |
| The requester asked for a risk assessment regarding a mountain road closure due to wind on 27 January 2026, but the Department of Infrastructure stated they do not hold this information as the closure was instigated by the Isle of Man Constabulary. | ||
| 2026-01-22 | FOIs | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a summary spreadsheet of all Freedom of Information requests received by the Department of Infrastructure with personal data removed. The authority responded by providing a list of 50 specific cases from January to May 2022, detailing their status, subject matter, and dates. | ||
| 2026-01-21 | Road markings | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for statistics on road marking defect reports and repainting frequencies for specific locations between 2024 and 2025. The Department of Infrastructure provided report counts by channel and location but stated they do not hold records on how many times markings were repainted. | ||
| 2026-01-20 | Waste Tyres, Watercourse Obstruction and DOI Responsibilities | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding its responsibilities for waste tyre disposal and watercourse obstruction, as well as related contracts and complaints. The authority responded that while some information was provided, they do not hold or could not find specific details regarding internal guidance, policy frameworks, and complaint records. | ||
| 2026-01-19 | Rental figure for land | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for the annual rental cost of two land parcels at Hairpin Woodland Park leased to the Manx Wildlife Trust. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing commercial interests exemptions. | ||
| 2026-01-15 | Bollard erected on a public right of way in Crosby | Information not held |
| A request was made for information regarding the approval and placement of a bollard on a public right of way in Crosby. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting Marown Commissioners instead. | ||
| 2026-01-15 | Tender process | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought documentation regarding the tender process for leasing a redundant shed at Dhoon Quarry. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed email correspondence and an advertisement detailing the property's condition, rental terms, and the offer submission deadline, while redacting personal contact details and specific proposed uses under exemptions. | ||
| 2026-01-12 | Names of lay members in housing agency | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the names of lay members on the Housing Agency Board and when this information would be public. The Department of Infrastructure responded that the recruitment process is incomplete, so no names can be provided, and the Board has not yet considered publishing this information. | ||
| 2026-01-09 | Coal tar identified in road surface | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for a list of roads containing coal tar and those causing project delays by providing a summary table of 77 identified highways. The response confirmed that 43 of these locations are currently affecting surfacing programmes due to the presence of coal tar waste. | ||
| 2026-01-08 | Request for information regarding highway defect reports | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of highway defect reports regarding the Creg Ny Baa back road in 2025 and 2026, specifically concerning tyre damage. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed one pothole report from November 2025 and confirmed no reports of tyre damage were received. | ||
| 2026-01-07 | Print & Signage spend | All information sent |
| The requester asked for 2025 print and signage spending details for the Department of Infrastructure and Isle of Man Transport across six specific vendors. The authority disclosed spending amounts for five vendors, while noting that no data was available for BHW Print. | ||
| 2026-01-05 | Mountain road closures | All information sent |
| The request sought the total hours of full and partial closures of the Mountain Road in 2025. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing three statutory notices detailing specific temporary closures for maintenance works, confirming that all requested information was sent. | ||
| 2026-01-05 | Issue with cold weather at the airport | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for details on chemicals used for runway de-icing at Isle of Man Airport and any policy changes regarding winter operations. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing the 'Winter Operations Manual' (Version 4.2) but withheld some information under exemptions. | ||
| 2026-01-02 | Failing to Display a road fund license | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on fixed penalty notices issued for failing to display a road fund license in 2024 and 2025, including how many were paid or cancelled. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total number of notices issued for both years along with the specific counts for paid and cancelled penalties. | ||
| 2025-12-30 | 25% provision of first time buyer homes | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding the Reaynt Mie development in Ballasalla to determine the number of first-time buyer homes built, available, or commuted to payments, along with the allocation process. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 56 homes have been completed, 5 are unoccupied but allocated, and 52.75 units were commuted to payments, while clarifying they do not hold data on potential build numbers prior to completion. | ||
| 2025-12-30 | Service | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for weekly passenger numbers, daily operating costs, and total introduction costs for the 8/8S bus route. The authority disclosed a full dataset of weekly passenger figures from August 2025 to January 2026, an average daily operating cost of £469.96 on school days, and a total introduction cost of approximately £80,969. | ||
| 2025-12-23 | Reconstruct Douglas Promenade | All information sent |
| The request sought details on descoped works and completion dates for the Douglas Promenade reconstruction. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed specific omitted elements, works transferred to in-house teams, and confirmed that the tram line extension lacks a definitive delivery date pending further approval. | ||
| 2025-12-23 | Historical Records for Former Douglas Bus Station Site and Surrounding | Information not held |
| A request was made for historical records regarding underground infrastructure at the former Douglas bus station site, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2025-12-17 | Status report of locomotive 16 "Mannin" received from Severn Valley Ra | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a status report, correspondence, and restoration timeline for locomotive 16 'Mannin' from the Department of Infrastructure. The authority released partial correspondence regarding work progress and purchase orders but withheld specific costs and details under exemptions. | ||
| 2025-12-16 | easyJet discussions | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for correspondence regarding discussions between the Department of Infrastructure, DfE, and easyJet about the future of the Isle of Man Airport. The Department refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to the prejudice of Council of Ministers' deliberations and suggesting the requester contact the airline directly. | ||
| 2025-12-15 | Healthy and safety | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for health and safety reviews regarding motorcycle restrictions at Dhoon Quarry and other island quarries. The Department of Infrastructure provided some documentation but withheld specific information citing exemptions for personal data. | ||
| 2025-12-10 | Staffing levels and reduction | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for a breakdown of 74 staff reductions and remaining staff numbers by category within the Department of Infrastructure. The authority refused to provide the specific data, citing that the information is already reasonably accessible via published quarterly Public Service size reports. | ||
| 2025-12-09 | Housing Agency Terms of Reference | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the legal formation, membership, and terms of reference of the Isle of Man Housing Agency. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the Agency is an internal structure rather than a separate legal entity, operates under delegated powers from the Minister, and has a board of 12 positions. | ||
| 2025-12-04 | Bus Driver Conduct, Complaints and Disciplinary Statistics | All information sent |
| The requester asked for five years of aggregated statistics on bus driver conduct, complaints, and disciplinary actions for Bus Vannin. The Department of Infrastructure provided complaint data by category but stated it does not hold disciplinary records, which are managed by the Office of Human Resources. | ||
| 2025-12-03 | Isle of Man Coastguard videos | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the cost and purpose of specific Isle of Man Coastguard videos published on Facebook in November 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the total production cost was £1,980 and the videos were intended for public safety awareness and recruitment. | ||
| 2025-12-02 | The name of the consultants working with the DOI | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for the names of consultants working with the Department of Infrastructure on a new Liverpool terminal for the Isle of Man Steam Packet. The authority refused to provide the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible via a previous FOI response. | ||
| 2025-12-02 | coastal erosion line kirk michael | All information sent |
| The requester sought criteria, affected property lists, and reports regarding the coastal erosion line in Kirk Michael. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the methodology follows the UK NCERM2 approach and directed the requester to publicly available HaskoningDHV reports, while clarifying that no definitive list of affected residential addresses is held. | ||
| 2025-11-27 | Annual Rent Setting Query for Social Housing | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought discussions regarding Local Authorities' ability to autonomously increase social housing rents beyond Departmental prescriptions over the last 12 months. The response disclosed a new policy effective April 2026 allowing providers to increase rents by an additional 1% without approval, alongside CPI-based minimum increases and historical consultation data. | ||
| 2025-11-26 | The cost. | All information sent |
| The request asked for the total cost incurred by the Department of Infrastructure regarding the Orsted wind farm. The authority disclosed that costs increased by £46,461.56 since November 2024, bringing the total to £513,818.56, while noting this excludes legislation preparation costs. | ||
| 2025-11-25 | Land Adjacent to Marine Biological Station | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on land agreements between the Department of Infrastructure and Delgatie Ltd regarding the area adjacent to the Marine Biological Station in Port Erin. The authority responded that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt, though the specific exemptions and disclosed details are not visible in the provided text. | ||
| 2025-11-25 | traffic light sequencing | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for traffic light sequencing details and CCTV footage for an accident at A3 Ballacraine Crossroads on 3rd March 2023. The Department of Infrastructure provided the sequencing specifications but confirmed that no CCTV footage exists for that location. | ||
| 2025-11-21 | Market rating uplift | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the number of Craftsman joiners employed by the Department of Infrastructure and their specific market rating uplifts. The authority disclosed that while Highways joiners received no uplifts, Facilities Management joiners received 4% or 12% uplifts following a 2022/23 review implemented in January 2023. | ||
| 2025-11-20 | Electric Railway Sign | All information sent |
| The requester asked why the Electric Railway sign lights are not changed to different colors for events like other landmarks. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that they do not routinely change the lights, have only received one request since installation, and are currently unable to program the controls because the supplier has not provided necessary guidance. | ||
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