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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-02-23 | Resident permits in disc zones | All information sent |
| The requester asked when the 2000kg weight restriction for resident parking permits in disc zones was introduced and the rationale behind it. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the policy originated in February 2008 to prevent large vehicles from occupying excessive roadside space and reducing public amenity. | ||
| 2022-02-22 | Douglas Promenade Design Brief | All information sent |
| The requester sought the project design brief and related correspondence for the Douglas Promenade Improvement Scheme, specifically referencing emails between Burroughs Stewart Associates and the Department of Infrastructure. The authority responded by disclosing the Project Brief and a 2017 memorandum presented to Tynwald that established the scheme's mandate and scope. | ||
| 2022-02-15 | Funds provided to Beach Buddies | All information sent |
| The request sought details on work completed by Beach Buddies following a £75,000 government grant for footpath maintenance. The response disclosed a comprehensive operational summary from 2018-2021, detailing volunteer hours, equipment usage, and the significant impact of the pandemic on service delivery. | ||
| 2022-02-08 | Douglas Promenade Safety Audits | All information sent |
| A request was made for copies of two safety audits regarding the Douglas Promenade design, and the Department of Infrastructure disclosed the full Stage 1 Road Safety Audit report conducted by TMS Consultancy. | ||
| 2022-02-07 | Leachate from the Raggatt Tip | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on leachate removal from the Raggatt Tip in 2021, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded with estimated figures based on contractor and staff records rather than exact quantities. | ||
| 2022-02-03 | Promenade Works Snagging List | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the Douglas Promenade Refurbishment snagging list, and the authority disclosed the full defects register containing 41 pages of information. | ||
| 2022-02-02 | Isle of Man Airport Car Park Revenue | All information sent |
| A request was made for a monthly breakdown of Isle of Man Airport car park revenue from 2016 to 2021, and the Department of Infrastructure confirmed that all information was sent. | ||
| 2022-01-26 | Horse Tram Problems | All information sent |
| The request sought correspondence regarding commissioning problems with horse tram points on the Douglas Promenade, and the authority disclosed all relevant information including design disputes and contract instructions. | ||
| 2022-01-24 | Cost of using Lord Street site as car park | All information sent |
| The request sought financial details regarding the Department of Infrastructure's use of the former Lord Street bus station as a car park since July 2021. The authority disclosed the total income generated, the specific licence fee paid to the site owner, and the revenue-sharing arrangement. | ||
| 2022-01-21 | Messaging on Mountain Road Matrix signs | All information sent |
| A request was made to identify the ownership, authorization, and operational procedures for non-traffic messaging on Mountain Road digital matrix signs. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed it owns the signs, grants permission, and handles input, noting that all government departments may use the signs with approval from senior officials. | ||
| 2022-01-21 | Mountain Road Work 2022 | All information sent |
| A request was made for details and costs of road works on the A18 Mountain Road between February and April 2022, specifically those required for the TT 2022 event. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the scope of works, including highway reconstruction and maintenance, along with estimated costs, while clarifying that the ACU supported but did not specifically request the major reconstruction. | ||
| 2022-01-10 | Information Required on Various Aspects of Highway Maintenance | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for data on highway maintenance, pothole statistics, and litigation for 2018, 2020, and 2021, disclosing that recycled asphalt is not used for bound materials and providing specific repair counts and costs. | ||
| 2022-01-06 | Peel Marina | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding expenditure from a £6.9m Tynwald-approved budget for dredging and silt removal at Peel Marina since January 2019. The authority disclosed that the total spend from this budget between January 2019 and December 31, 2021, was £2,971,790. | ||
| 2021-12-28 | Steam Locomotive Restoration Tenders | All information sent |
| The requester asked for clarification on whether the restoration of steam locomotive 'Maitland' followed public tender rules under Isle of Man Financial Regulations. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that both chassis refurbishment and assembly works were tendered via official government channels with multiple bidders, and the contract was awarded based on best value. | ||
| 2021-12-22 | Statistics on Parking Fines In Coach Bays Out Of Season | All information sent |
| The requester sought detailed statistics on parking fines in coach bays and restricted areas, including appeal success rates, to assess the viability of a court hearing. The Department of Infrastructure provided aggregate financial year data for total offences and specific 'reserved parking' codes but clarified that data is not broken down by town, month, or specific appeal outcomes. | ||
| 2021-12-14 | Steam Locomotive Boilers | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on steam locomotive boiler orders and repairs from 2016 to present, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded by providing technical drawings and specifications for Isle of Man Railway locomotives. | ||
| 2021-12-08 | Princes Dock Liverpool | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the Isle of Man government's lease terms for the Princes Dock river berth and adjoining land. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that two separate leases exist with specific start dates, durations, and no provisions for renewal. | ||
| 2021-12-06 | Provide a full list of all issues logged in respect of Garff | All information sent |
| 2021-12-02 | Vehicle Registration on Isle of Man | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the total number of vehicles with valid road tax on the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there are currently 75,908 such vehicles, noting the figure changes daily. | ||
| 2021-11-22 | DoI ANPR system | All information sent |
| 2021-11-18 | Mini Buses | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for details regarding the quantity, cost, lifespan, trade-in value, and disposal of Mercedes Sprinter minibuses. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent to the applicant. | ||
| 2021-11-04 | Engines | All information sent |
| The request sought the operational status, expenditure, and maintenance history of Isle of Man Steam Railway locomotives since January 2020. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a detailed table listing the status, costs, and specific work carried out for 21 locomotives. | ||
| 2021-11-02 | Steam Railway Expenses | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for details on the running costs, restoration expenses, and ongoing projects for the Isle of Man Steam Railway. The authority disclosed specific financial figures for the 2020 calendar year and 2020/21 financial year, including costs for the restoration of Loco 11 Maitland. | ||
| 2021-11-01 | Qualifications for the post of Security Manager at the Sea Terminal | All information sent |
| A request was made for the qualifications required for the Security Manager post at the Sea Terminal. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that while no formal person specification exists, specific experience and certifications are expected for the role. | ||
| 2021-10-22 | Revenue for used buses | All information sent |
| A request was made for records of revenue generated from selling used buses by the Department of Infrastructure from the 2015-16 financial year onwards. The authority disclosed the specific revenue figures for each year in that period and noted that all sales were conducted via DOI auctions. | ||
| 2021-10-21 | Fireworks | All information sent |
| The request sought correspondence between the Department of Infrastructure and Douglas Borough Council regarding the cancellation of the November 5, 2021, firework display. The authority disclosed all information, revealing that the event was cancelled due to delays in promenade refurbishment works, though the Remembrance Sunday service proceeded. | ||
| 2021-10-21 | Parking Tickets | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual parking ticket statistics, traffic warden inspection data, and specific fund allocation details for Douglas disc zones. The Department of Infrastructure provided ticket and visit counts for two specific streets but stated that fine revenue goes into general government funds. | ||
| 2021-10-18 | Sweeper duties | All information sent |
| A request was made for data on road sweeper usage, mileage, and staffing over the last two years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that they only manage strategic links, do not hold daily usage records, and employ no full-time sweeper drivers. | ||
| 2021-10-15 | Queens Pier | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the agreement, access walkway width, and plans regarding the Queens Pier Restoration Trust's fenced area and car park. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the full agreement and a plan of the allocated area, noting that specific clauses outline vehicle access rights. | ||
| 2021-10-07 | Vehicle Purchases | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the number of diesel and petrol vehicles purchased since the May 2019 climate emergency declaration. The authority disclosed that zero petrol vehicles and 186 diesel vehicles were acquired during this period. | ||
| 2021-10-04 | Full river maintenance plans for Laxey rivers | All information sent |
| A request was made for all river maintenance plans for rivers in Laxey, and the Department of Infrastructure responded by providing the full Laxey River Maintenance Plan covering the 2020-2024 period. | ||
| 2021-09-28 | Parking for van and motorcycle users on Douglas prom | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding parking regulations, penalty statistics, and bay dimensions for vans and motorcycles on the Douglas promenade following regeneration works. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed current parking permissions, provided total penalty ticket figures for 2021, and detailed the specific dimensions of parking bays before and after the scheme. | ||
| 2021-09-27 | Douglas Promenade Digital Counter | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding the cost, location, and condition of a digital pedestrian counter installed on the Douglas Promenade, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded by providing all relevant emails and documents. | ||
| 2021-09-13 | passenger arrivals per day in March 2020 and March 2019 | All information sent |
| The request sought daily passenger arrival data for March 2019 and March 2020 by sea and air, along with corroborating air passenger duty information. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed total monthly arrival figures for both sea and air transport but did not provide daily breakdowns or air passenger duty data. | ||
| 2021-08-30 | Speed Limit Changes and Processes | All information sent |
| The request sought details on speed limit changes in 2021, including specific locations, legislative orders, and supporting data. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that two speed limits were changed to 30 mph in specific areas and outlined the procedural steps taken under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1985. | ||
| 2021-08-18 | Non-operational status of Isle of Man Airport Inshore Rescue Boat | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding the non-operational status of the Isle of Man Airport Inshore Rescue Boat, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded that the vessel has been out of service since 2013 due to age and that the new boat's deployment is delayed by pandemic-related training issues. | ||
| 2021-08-17 | Role and funding of Footpath Friends | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the Department of Infrastructure's funding and contractual arrangements with the group Footpath Friends. The authority disclosed that the group received £25,000 annually for three years to undertake agreed works, which were monitored on a job-by-job basis, and confirmed the contract has since expired. | ||
| 2021-08-02 | 40 mph buffer zone - Poortown Road | All information sent |
| The requester asked for justification regarding the use of 2011 traffic data and evidence of officer experience and police support for a 40mph buffer zone on Poortown Road. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing all requested information, including a 36-page guidance document on speed limits and traffic calming thresholds. | ||
| 2021-08-02 | Ballacollister Road | All information sent |
| The requester asked for documents and reasons regarding the cancellation of planned resurfacing works on Ballacollister Road after a sign was removed without explanation. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the works were delayed because the proposed Traffic Management Plan was rejected, though a revised plan has since been approved. | ||
| 2021-07-26 | Decision not to publicise Sunflower lanyard scheme at IoM Airport | All information sent |
| The requester asked for information regarding the decision not to publicise the Sunflower lanyard scheme at Isle of Man Airport due to fears of misuse. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that while the scheme was initially not publicised for this reason, the decision has since been reversed and information is now available on the airport website. | ||
| 2021-07-15 | Travelling to your new school Bus Vannin Video | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the production cost of the 'Travelling to your new school Bus Vannin' video. The authority disclosed that the total cost was £350 plus VAT. | ||
| 2021-07-12 | Governors Bridge Surveying Work | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the reason behind surveying work at Governors Bridge in June 2021 and any future proposals. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the survey was for collecting information on future policy options but stated there are no current proposals. | ||
| 2021-07-08 | RTC at St Ninnians Junction in Douglas | All information sent |
| A request was made for details of road traffic collisions at St Ninnians Junction in Douglas over the last five years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that two personal injury collisions occurred during this period, though police collision numbers were redacted to protect individual identities. | ||
| 2021-06-29 | Isle of Man Heritage Railways | All information sent |
| 2021-06-17 | information regarding driving test center and statistics | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for driving test statistics covering the last five years, including test volumes, waiting times, and pass rates. The authority provided annual test figures, waiting times by vehicle type, and first-attempt pass rates, but confirmed they do not hold data on the average number of attempts required to pass. | ||
| 2021-06-09 | Bus Vannin Budgets | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure provided budget and actual expenditure records for Bus Vannin for the financial years 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, but did not include the requested 2021-22 budget in the attached data. | ||
| 2021-05-17 | Promenade Work | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding scope reductions, budget changes, and specific costs for the promenade scheme. The authority disclosed the specific works removed, the total budget reduction, the cost of gateway markers, and the cumulative expenditure to date. | ||
| 2021-05-13 | Planning Approval for works in Conservation Areas | All information sent |
| The requester asked if the Department of Infrastructure has a policy requiring planning approval or consultation for works in Conservation Areas, similar to other property owners. The authority responded that it complies with the appropriate legislation and provided a link to the relevant planning order. | ||
| 2021-05-11 | Strang Road Union Mills | All information sent |
| A request was made for correspondence regarding traffic and highway issues in Union Mills and Strang Road over five years, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded by disclosing all relevant information including letters about proposed road safety improvements and traffic management schemes. | ||
| 2021-05-03 | rentable land at jurby | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for detailed statistics on rental units, leasing rates, and drainage conditions at the Jurby Industrial Estate. The authority responded by sending an appendix containing the Development Plan, with the outcome recorded as all information sent. | ||
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