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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-10-05 | Heathrow | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for a weekly breakdown of payments made to underwrite Loganair's Heathrow route from May to October 2022. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to commercial interests. | ||
| 2022-10-04 | Land adjacent to MER terminus in Ramsey by Parsonage Road | Information not held |
| 2022-10-04 | Parking Restrictions at Ronaldsway Airport | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on parking restrictions at Ronaldsway Airport and the A5 highway, along with links to the legal basis. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing direct links to the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) held in the Tynwald library. | ||
| 2022-09-30 | Heritage Railways & Cycle Paths | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2022-09-30 | Promenade Costs | All information sent |
| A request was made for detailed cost breakdowns of various temporary works and landscaping associated with the Isle of Man Promenade scheme. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed specific monetary values for labour, tarmac, kerbs, and landscaping, while noting that paving blocks and topsoil were provided from stock or free of charge. | ||
| 2022-09-27 | Options for dealing with silt from Peel Harbour/Marina | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2022-09-27 | The demolition of the King Edward V111 Monument aka the "Block House" | All information sent |
| 2022-09-27 | The Wreck of the Claire Anne | All information sent |
| 2022-09-26 | King Edward Pier works | All information sent |
| The request questioned the Department of Infrastructure's timeline and awareness regarding necessary pier works to accommodate the new Manxman vessel, citing a 2016 proposal. The Department disclosed that specific engineering data on vessel loading was only received in December 2020, triggering the re-scoping of the project, but withheld cost estimates due to an ongoing procurement process. | ||
| 2022-09-26 | Stop Logs Storage facility | All information sent |
| 2022-09-26 | The wreck of the Claire Anne | All information sent |
| 2022-09-23 | Dredging - Peel Harbour/Marina | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding the dredging schedule, silt accumulation, and disposal plans for Peel Harbour/Marina following a planning application for a silt dump. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the last dredging date, annual silt deposition rates, and future dredging timelines, but withheld specific disposal method details due to ongoing contractual discussions. | ||
| 2022-09-21 | Homes built | All information sent |
| The requester asked for records of homes built annually from 2015 to 2022 and any earlier available data to verify a government claim about housing development. The Department of Infrastructure provided a complete dataset covering 2005 to 2021, broken down by private and public housing, but confirmed that no records for 2022 were yet available. | ||
| 2022-09-21 | Unpaid fixed penalties | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2022-09-20 | Local authority rent increases | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked about the legality and Tynwald approval of local authority rent increases and five-year tenancy agreements. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the legal basis for these practices but stated that social housing rent charges do not require Tynwald approval. | ||
| 2022-09-20 | Ballasalla ByPass Bridge | All information sent |
| A request was made for documents regarding the planning and construction of the Ballasalla Bypass Bridge, specifically concerning weight restrictions, life expectancy, and aesthetic designs. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed all requested information, providing 210 pages of structural calculations and design records. | ||
| 2022-09-14 | Parking signage | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a count of one-way streets in the Isle of Man with different parking limits on each side, excluding Hill Street. The Department of Infrastructure declined to provide this specific count, citing that the information is already publicly available via Tynwald and that compiling the data would require significant officer time. | ||
| 2022-09-07 | Cones in Braddan for Manx Grand Prix 2022 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the full contract regarding the borrowing of Department of Infrastructure cones for the 2022 Manx Grand Prix and the collection deadline. The authority provided specific sections of the contract but withheld the full document citing commercial interests. | ||
| 2022-09-06 | Airport Parking | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for information regarding Airport Parking enforcement, payment statistics, and contractor costs was partially fulfilled by the Department of Infrastructure. While data on penalty notices and non-app payments was provided, the cost paid to the Ring Go service was withheld under a public interest exemption. | ||
| 2022-09-06 | Number of requests made via the 'Report a Problem Service' app | All information sent |
| 2022-09-02 | Boat Park fees - Derbyhaven Boat Park | All information sent |
| The request sought details on outstanding boat park fees and enforcement actions for specific vessels and trailers in Derbyhaven. The Department of Infrastructure responded that most photographed items were on private land or had no outstanding fees, with one unidentified trailer scheduled for disposal. | ||
| 2022-09-01 | The "FAG" | All information sent |
| 2022-08-30 | All communications between the IOM Government and Crogga | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2022-08-26 | Manx Electric Railway Accidents & Injuries | All information sent |
| The request sought data on Manx Electric Railway accidents, injuries, employee concerns, and a specific 2013 incident. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there were no deaths, 111 personal injury accidents, and 1,136 reported near misses or hazards, while confirming investigations and mitigation measures were implemented. | ||
| 2022-08-23 | TT Scoreboard Location | All information sent |
| The requester asked about the fate of the dismantled TT scoreboard, and the Department of Infrastructure disclosed that it was removed by Tooms Ltd, with a section donated to the Manx Museum and the rest discarded due to poor condition. | ||
| 2022-08-16 | Passenger numbers | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for bus passenger statistics by providing average load figures for scheduled journeys and the Connect Villages service between January and August 2022. All requested information was disclosed without any exemptions. | ||
| 2022-08-11 | Buses | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the number of bus services cancelled on each day in July 2022. The authority responded by providing a daily breakdown of lost bus services for the specified period. | ||
| 2022-08-11 | Number of population from 16+ with driving licences | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of Isle of Man residents aged 16 and over holding driving licenses, broken down by age segments. The Department of Infrastructure provided full statistics for both full and provisional licenses across five age groups. | ||
| 2022-08-11 | Legal advice | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for legal advice sought by the Cabinet Office in 2020 regarding quarantine charges and the use of the Comis Hotel. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Cabinet Office directly. | ||
| 2022-08-10 | Fires | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on trackside fires attributed to the Isle of Man steam railway and the usage of the fire train, along with mitigation measures. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 26 fires were recorded, 11 were handled by the fire train, and detailed several safety protocols implemented to reduce fire risks. | ||
| 2022-08-10 | Request for information on driver shortages | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding driver shortages, sick leave statistics, and bus tracking capabilities. The authority disclosed information on bus tracking systems but redirected the requester to the Cabinet Office for employee absence and recruitment data. | ||
| 2022-08-08 | Bus Cancellations | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought internal communications regarding bus cancellations during the 2022 TT period and details on Minister Tim Crookall's parliamentary answers. The Department of Infrastructure released some documents, including draft answers and emails discussing driver shortages and congestion, but withheld parts of the information under exemptions. | ||
| 2022-08-05 | U177 | All information sent |
| A request was made for details on the extent of highway U177 in Port St Mary, internal correspondence regarding a retaining wall, and the Department's maintenance policy. The Department disclosed all information, including maps and emails debating ownership boundaries and the application of the Highways Act 1986. | ||
| 2022-08-03 | The wreck of the Claire Anne | All information sent |
| A Freedom of Information request sought details on the costs, authorization, and ownership regarding the removal and disposal of the wreck of the MF Claire Anne from Peel Harbour. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total costs incurred, the authorization process, and the current legal status of the vessel, while withholding the owner's name for data protection reasons. | ||
| 2022-08-03 | Stop Logs | All information sent |
| A request was made regarding the removal of stop logs occupying parking space in West Quay, Peel, which were left by the Department of Infrastructure 20 months prior. The authority responded that there are no current plans to remove the logs as a permanent storage area is scheduled for construction in late autumn 2022. | ||
| 2022-07-29 | Free vehicles given to DOI | All information sent |
| The request sought details on free vehicles provided to the Department of Infrastructure since 2017. The authority confirmed that vehicles were loaned as demonstrators for procurement trials between 2019 and 2022, listing specific manufacturers and models, and noted that ministers and directors did use them. | ||
| 2022-07-26 | Airport closure June 16th 2022 | Information not held |
| A request for details regarding a suspicious item that caused an airport closure on June 16, 2022, was denied by the Department of Infrastructure. The authority cited national security exemptions, stating that disclosing the nature of the item could compromise security measures and aid terrorist activities. | ||
| 2022-07-22 | Horse tram rust removal | All information sent |
| 2022-07-18 | Shore Road car park, Old Laxey | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the legal authority, regulations, application process, and vehicle classification for the Shore Road car park in Old Laxey. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the specific 2019 Parking Order, confirmed no formal application form exists, and clarified the definition of a motor caravan. | ||
| 2022-07-14 | Vehicle Purchases | All information sent |
| A request was made for a breakdown of all government vehicles purchased since January 1, 2022, including fuel types. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a list of 22 vehicles, comprising electric vans and cars, as well as petrol and diesel SUVs. | ||
| 2022-07-14 | Request re. payments made by airlines for extension to Airport hours | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding airline payments for extended Isle of Man Airport hours during April to June 2022. The authority disclosed the number of days extensions occurred, total invoiced charges of £70,818, and confirmed that only £16,608 had been paid to date. | ||
| 2022-07-14 | Locomotive 16/Mannin | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the costs, schedule, and budget regarding the restoration of Steam Locomotive 16/Mannin. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total spend to date but confirmed the Spring 2023 return date was unlikely and stated that remaining costs and the full budget were not yet available. | ||
| 2022-06-29 | Cancelled or rescheduled flights on/off the Island | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought data on cancelled and rescheduled flights to/from the Isle of Man between May and June 2022, broken down by airline and cause. The Department of Infrastructure provided cancellation figures by airline but stated it does not hold data on rescheduled flights or specific reasons for cancellations related to operating hours. | ||
| 2022-06-21 | Regional swimming pool survey info | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details regarding the firm, costs, contracts, and personnel involved in surveying Isle of Man regional swimming pools. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Department of Education, Sport and Culture instead. | ||
| 2022-06-17 | Emergency response procedures | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for the Department of Infrastructure's Emergency Response Procedures for Ronaldsway Airport, but no information was disclosed. | ||
| 2022-06-17 | Cost of car park works in St Johns | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the total cost of recent improvement works, including drainage and resurfacing, at the car park next to St Johns' school. The authority confirmed that all information was sent, disclosing the total project cost. | ||
| 2022-06-17 | Parking tickets issued George Paddock Car Park Castletown | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for parking ticket statistics and vehicle registration details for George Paddock Car Park in Castletown between January 2021 and June 2022. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total number of tickets issued and cancelled, along with reasons for cancellation, but withheld vehicle registration numbers and the identity of the officer who revoked them due to personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2022-06-14 | Buses TT | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought a list of bus cancellations during the TT fortnight (excluding race closures) and communications regarding the decision to stop publishing delay updates on Facebook. The Department of Infrastructure provided a detailed table of cancellations by date and route but withheld the specific internal communications, citing the fluid nature of operations and the risk of providing incorrect information. | ||
| 2022-06-13 | Fixed Penalty Notices - TT 2022 | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on Fixed Penalty Notices issued to motorbikes and other vehicles for pavement parking during the 2022 TT period. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that no notices were issued to motorbikes, while two were issued to other vehicles in Douglas, and outlined the enforcement process for unpaid fines. | ||
| 2022-06-13 | Harbour Dues | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for details on outstanding harbour dues and enforcement actions for boats in Peel's Dry Dock. Although the initial response cited personal data exemptions, a subsequent letter disclosed specific vessel numbers, outstanding amounts, and enforcement status. | ||
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