Department of Infrastructure
451 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 100.0%
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 (451)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-07 | Dredging costs | All information sent |
| The request sought monthly dredging costs for Douglas harbour and arrears for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company over the last 48 months. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed specific costs for the Inner Harbour/Marina in 2023 and 2024, and the Outer Harbour in March 2025, but did not provide the requested monthly breakdown or arrears data. | ||
| 2025-04-02 | Contribution from Bride Commissioners to NCAS from 1st April 2025 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the financial contribution from Bride Commissioners to the Northern Civic Amenity Site (NCAS) and related correspondence since January 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed all information, including emails confirming the agreement, the transfer of contingency funds, and the signed contract for site operation. | ||
| 2025-03-27 | First Time Buyers Scheme | All information sent |
| The requester asked for statistics on First Time Buyer allocations, specific offers for the Jurby development, and the property offering process. The Department of Infrastructure directed the requester to online resources for general statistics and confirmed that three applicants have been offered homes in the new Ballaglionney development in Jurby. | ||
| 2025-03-25 | Cost | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the projected cost of Mountain Road works and any assessment of the economic impact of the closure. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total cost of the works but confirmed that no economic impact assessment was conducted. | ||
| 2025-03-19 | How much will it cost to change relevant signage to 20mph? | All information sent |
| The request sought the total cost and contractor details for implementing 20mph signage across the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a total estimated cost of £400,000 and identified Hirst Signs Ltd, CCJ Group Limited, and in-house staff as the providers for different areas. | ||
| 2025-03-18 | Promenade crossings | All information sent |
| The requester asked about the due diligence on promenade crossing materials and remediation plans due to premature deterioration. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the materials met British Standards and stated that an options appraisal for remediation is currently underway. | ||
| 2025-03-18 | Bus vannin travel expenses | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total travel expenses for Bus Vannin management over the last 10 years in response to a Freedom of Information request. The response provided a year-by-year breakdown of spending on business trips and leisure travel to the UK, Ireland, and Europe. | ||
| 2025-03-12 | Government Parking Allocation and Usage | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on the allocation, usage, and enforcement of government parking spaces at the Level 2 Chester Street car park. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the list of allocated departments, total space count, permit numbers, and enforcement statistics, but withheld information on specific allocation policies and complaints. | ||
| 2025-03-12 | Parking | All information sent |
| The requester asked for allocation dates, renewal history, and decision-makers for reserved parking spaces on Castlemona Avenue. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there are five spaces, provided their creation dates, clarified that renewals are not required, and identified the Highways and Asset Manager as the decision-maker. | ||
| 2025-03-12 | Highways officer XXRedacted NameXX report on property at IM2 1JN Feb 25 | All information sent |
| A request was made for a highways officer's report regarding potential road collapse and culvert blockage at Springfield Cottage, New Castletown Road. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the full report, which details erosion risks, hydraulic issues, and plans for a structural inspection. | ||
| 2025-03-11 | Criteria applied to decide which roads should be reduced to 20mph. | All information sent |
| The request sought the criteria, decision-making levels, press releases, and consultation processes for the proposed IOM Speed Limits Order 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the specific 'Place', 'Movement', and 'Road Characteristics' criteria used to determine which roads should be reduced to 20mph, along with the policy purpose and Tynwald resolutions supporting the scheme. | ||
| 2025-03-10 | public sector housing breakdown costs for rent | All information sent |
| The requester asked for confirmation on rent uniformity for 3-bedroom properties at Station Park Colby and a detailed breakdown of rental cost components including utilities. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing the full 2012 'Calculation of Local Authority Housing Rents' document, which outlines the points-based system used to determine rent. | ||
| 2025-02-25 | Approved Driving Instructor register - UK based firm | All information sent |
| The requester asked about the registration status of UK-based driving instructors for Manx Care ambulance training and the Department of Infrastructure's involvement in Work Permit applications for instructors. The Department disclosed that it is not informed of Work Permit applications but requires proof of a permit for UK ADIs to register on the Isle of Man list. | ||
| 2025-02-20 | Fire Extinguishers in Government Buildings | All information sent |
| The request sought details on fire extinguisher maintenance contracts, quantities, and expenditure for Isle of Man government buildings. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the current provider, contract dates, approximate extinguisher count, and financial data, but refused to provide inspection certificates due to cost and compilation exemptions. | ||
| 2025-02-18 | Linkspan | All information sent |
| The request sought emergency plans for delivering food and people to the Isle of Man if Douglas Harbour or its link spans became inoperable. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the IOM Harbours Business Continuity Plan outlines transferring operations to the remaining linkspan or utilizing alternative berths and container vessels. | ||
| 2025-02-14 | Trees blown down on Surby road | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the cost of clearing trees blown down on Surby road on 7 December. The authority disclosed that the total cost for the work was £1900.00 plus VAT. | ||
| 2025-02-12 | Unpaid Harbour Dues | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the number of boats in Douglas marina and storage areas currently in arrears with harbour dues. The authority disclosed the specific count of vessels in arrears for each location. | ||
| 2025-02-11 | Closure of greenlanes during TT | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the decision-making process, specific locations, dates, and impact assessments regarding greenlane closures during the 2025 Isle of Man TT. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that no formal decision or impact assessment has been made yet, though the closures are being monitored by DEFA Rangers and Police. | ||
| 2025-02-10 | TT green lane closure | All information sent |
| The request sought documentation justifying the closure of green lanes during the TT and MGP events to ensure proportionality and necessity. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed internal emails confirming that temporary closures for specific lanes were approved to mitigate damage and danger, while rejecting permanent road extinguishment. | ||
| 2025-02-10 | Closure of Greeways during the TT festival | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the identity of the official who decided to close greenways during the TT festival and whether off-road users were consulted. The Department of Infrastructure responded that the proposal was jointly made by DEFA and DoI officers, no formal decision has been made yet, and the Countryside Access Group representing off-road users was included in discussions. | ||
| 2025-02-03 | Burial Ground Rates | All information sent |
| The request sought details on how Burial Ground Rates are calculated for Onchan and whether rates are uniform across the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the legal framework under the Burials Act 1986, confirmed that each parish sets its own rate based on expenses, and provided a list of rates for the 2025-26 period. | ||
| 2025-01-07 | Private rent-outs of Bus Vannin buses and minibuses in 2024 | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on private hires of Bus Vannin vehicles and drivers in 2024, including breakdowns by day of the week. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a full dataset showing 310 total hires involving 375 buses, 22 minibuses, and 397 drivers, with Saturdays being the busiest day. | ||
| 2025-01-07 | Housing increase | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the recommended rental increases proposed by each housing authority for the 2025/26 year. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that all requested information was provided in an attached appendix. | ||
| 2025-01-07 | Refund Section relating to Comis Hotel Returning Residents | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on refund applications and entitlements for Comis Hotel returning residents following the implementation of the Kate Brunner KC recommendations. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 58 applications were received, 50 refunds were paid, and 90 residents are entitled to refunds out of 107 total stayers. | ||
| 2025-01-06 | Transport to and from Niarbyl: number of passengers paying on bus | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of passengers paying on the bus for routes between Douglas, Niarbyl, and Peel during the 2024 season, excluding Go Card users. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 17 tickets were issued for the Douglas-Niarbyl route and 29 for the Niarbyl-Peel route. | ||
| 2025-01-03 | Percentages | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on the specific work duties covered by 34% and 31.5% salary allowances for Port Security roles, following a previous request for salary scales. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that these allowances are not for specific tasks but are full recompense for rostered shifts, night duty, weekend work, and public holidays. | ||
| 2024-12-11 | Electric vehicles, end of life disposal | All information sent |
| The request sought the Isle of Man government's policy on disposing of electric vehicles and batteries for both private and government ownership. The response disclosed that no specific EV disposal policy exists, government vehicles are sold via auction, and lithium-ion batteries are managed under dangerous goods legislation and a specific waste operator policy. | ||
| 2024-11-27 | Notify app | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the subscription costs for the 'Notify' app used by the Isle of Man. The authority disclosed that the annual license, support, and hosting fee is £4,320.00. | ||
| 2024-11-19 | Salaries | All information sent |
| The request sought salary details and percentage allowances for Port Security officers and managers, including changes related to a transfer to the Department of Home Affairs. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that specific allowance breakdowns are not held but provided consolidated percentage rates and details on proposed condition changes. | ||
| 2024-11-15 | Number of fatalities on the Island's road in 2023 and 2024 | All information sent |
| The request sought the number of road fatalities on the Isle of Man for 2023 and 2024 to date. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there were 2 fatalities in 2023 and 4 fatalities in 2024 up to November 20th, noting that figures may change due to ongoing investigations. | ||
| 2024-11-12 | Seabed Value | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure disclosed aggregated revenue and agreement counts for Controlled Marine Activities from 2013/14 to 2024/25, broken down by activity type and VAT status. The response provided full financial data for offshore renewable energy, submarine cables, pipelines, and gas drilling without citing any exemptions. | ||
| 2024-11-11 | Accidents and Injuries - Douglas Horse Tram Lines | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details of accidents and injuries on the Douglas Horse Tram Lines since their 2022 refurbishment. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a log of incidents and provided details of one specific complaint regarding a cyclist falling due to wheels getting stuck in the tracks. | ||
| 2024-10-18 | Closure of Castletown Square Notice PER161 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the decision-making process and objection statistics regarding the closure of Castletown Square. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the legal authority used, confirmed the Town Clerk's supportive stance, and provided corrected figures on the number of objections and petitions received. | ||
| 2024-10-09 | Fire Risk Assessments for Government Office Buildings | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the most recent fire risk assessments for six specific government office buildings on the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure provided assessments for four buildings but confirmed they do not hold records for the Registry Building and Thie Slieu Whallian. | ||
| 2024-10-09 | Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions | All information sent |
| The requester asked if the UK Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and Traffic Signs Manual are adopted as law or best practice in the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure responded that UK manuals are guidance only, while local traffic signs are regulated by the Traffic Signs (Application) Regulations 2003 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1985. | ||
| 2024-09-25 | How many passengers get on the X3 7:10am Bus in Ramsey only | All information sent |
| The requester asked for passenger numbers boarding the 7:10 am X3 bus from Ramsey to Douglas for the previous six months, excluding passengers boarding in Douglas. The Department of Infrastructure provided daily passenger figures for March through August 2024, including averages and notes on bank holidays and ticket machine failures. | ||
| 2024-09-24 | Public Auction - Talus MB764 Amphibious Tractor and Talus launch trail | All information sent |
| The requester asked if a Talus MB764 Amphibious Tractor and launch trailer being auctioned were assets purchased by the Department of Infrastructure for aviation emergency RIB launches. The authority confirmed the items are their assets, originally used for Inshore Rescue Boat training and emergency responses, and are now being sold. | ||
| 2024-09-12 | Bus cancellations | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for specific reasons behind bus cancellations on September 7th and 8th, 2024, and answers to six queries regarding disputes and private bookings. The authority confirmed all information was sent, though the provided response text is truncated before fully answering the first query. | ||
| 2024-09-12 | How many passengers travel on the X3 bus - Ramsey to Douglas at 7.10am | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure provided daily passenger counts for the X3 bus service from Ramsey to Douglas at 7:10 am between March and August 2024. The response included specific figures for each day, noting instances where ticket machine failures resulted in missing data. | ||
| 2024-09-12 | Traffic Statistics on junctions A3/B39 and A3/A36 | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure disclosed all requested traffic statistics data collected between March and June 2024 for the A3/B39 and A3/A36 junctions, including raw vehicle classifications and daily 85th percentile speed records. | ||
| 2024-09-09 | Temporary Workers Employed via Agencies | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the number of temporary workers engaged via third-party recruitment agencies for 2023 and 2024, broken down by job grade. All requested information was provided without any exemptions. | ||
| 2024-09-05 | Weather warnings | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the number of Red, Amber, and Yellow weather warnings issued annually since 2018. The authority responded by providing a complete dataset covering the years 2018 through August 2024. | ||
| 2024-08-27 | New Liverpool Ferry Terminal | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the construction completion date and the name of the Project Manager for the New Liverpool Ferry Terminal. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that construction was completed on 5 April 2024, with contract completion occurring 12 months later, and identified Turner & Townsend as the Project Manager. | ||
| 2024-08-21 | recruitment and job grading | All information sent |
| The requester asked for correspondence regarding the regrading and job description changes for the Harbour works supervisor role (DOI-019777) between May and August 2024. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that all requested information was released. | ||
| 2024-08-16 | Storms and Highways | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding policies and procedures for clearing fallen trees from highways during storms, including a specific inquiry about an incident on Poortown Road on 21 January 2024. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent to the applicant. | ||
| 2024-08-15 | Fixed Penalty Notices for Promenade Parking | All information sent |
| The request sought monthly statistics on fixed penalty notices issued for incorrect parking disc times between 8:00am and 10:00am from January 2022 to July 2024. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the data, providing totals for all locations and a specific breakdown for the Douglas Promenade. | ||
| 2024-08-08 | Bus route usage | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the top and bottom five bus services by passenger numbers and revenue for the last five years. The Department of Infrastructure provided the requested data in an appendix, noting it covers core services only. | ||
| 2024-08-05 | Annual figure for building Homes | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of homes built in the Isle of Man for the calendar years 2022 and 2023. The Department of Infrastructure provided the total and net figures for both years, noting that the data is also publicly available via the Cabinet Office. | ||
| 2024-08-05 | Waste supplied to the AWPP by IOM Meats | All information sent |
| The request sought monthly waste tonnage data (separated by material and blood) sent from Isle of Man Meats to the Animal Waste Processing Plant for 2022, 2023, and up to July 2024. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed all requested information, providing detailed tables covering the period from April 2021 through July 2024. | ||
| 2024-07-31 | Proposed Runway Extension and \ or New Runway Extension at Jurby | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on a proposed runway extension at Jurby Airport, including rationale, funding, and environmental impacts. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no development proposal exists, only a safeguarding zoning for airspace, and therefore detailed project information is not held. | ||
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