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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-24 | Bus Vannin Private Hire Activities | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for detailed financial and operational data regarding Bus Vannin's private hire activities from January 2019 to 2021, but no information was disclosed. | ||
| 2021-06-24 | Number of Vehicle Collisions along Braid Road, St Marks | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for vehicle collision data along Braid Road, St Marks from 2010 to the present, but the Department of Infrastructure could only provide data from January 2015 onwards due to lack of earlier records. The authority disclosed 13 personal injury collisions occurring between 2015 and the date of response, with locations detailed in two appendices. | ||
| 2021-06-23 | Vehicle numbers | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for the number of private vehicles registered on the Isle of Man in specific years from 1970 to 2020. The Department of Infrastructure responded that some information was sent, but not all requested data was held. | ||
| 2021-06-22 | Roundels - Legal Basis | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for evidence of UK usage of 'roundels' as traffic calming measures and queried the legal classification of the Douglas Prom junction. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing design sources and clarifying that the junction is legally a non-priority junction, not a roundabout, governed by the Manx Highway Code. | ||
| 2021-06-22 | Douglas Promenade Regeneration Costs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the total spend on the Douglas Promenade Regeneration and a comparison to the original Tynwald approval. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the approved budget but withheld the current spend figures citing commercial interests and potential harm to future tendering processes. | ||
| 2021-06-21 | First Time Buyers Scheme - successful applicants since 2014 | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for annual statistics on successful First Time Buyers Scheme applicants since 2014 and comparisons with the pre-2014 House Purchase Assistance Scheme. The Department of Infrastructure responded that it does not hold data on individual applicants but provided figures for assisted purchases across various schemes from 1999 to 2021. | ||
| 2021-06-17 | Salaries of port security and port security managers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 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. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | CRHS - Building, Mechanical, Electrical and other Condition Reports | Upheld - partial |
| The request sought specific building, mechanical, and electrical condition reports for the CRHS business case and subsequent ad hoc reports, along with methodology details for monitoring the education estate. The Department of Infrastructure partially upheld the request, disclosing a December 2016 Suitability Study that assessed room conditions, accessibility, and infrastructure against current legislation. | ||
| 2021-06-15 | D51 Earystane Road (Colby) temporary closure ref RC0181 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for all correspondence regarding the D51 Earystane Road temporary closure since October 2011, resulting in the disclosure of some information while parts were withheld under exemptions. The released documents include emails discussing a Public Path Order, reasons for relocating a highway due to anti-social behavior, and the removal of a specific area from the Isle of Man Outdoor Leisure Map. | ||
| 2021-06-15 | Broadway Roundel | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for a risk assessment and legal references for the Broadway 'Roundel', but the Department of Infrastructure disclosed that no written risk assessment exists as it is not required for this non-priority junction. The authority provided relevant sections of the Manx Highway Code and cited the Highways Act 1986 and Road Traffic Acts as the governing regulations. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2021-06-02 | everbridge | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for detailed statistics and cost data regarding the Everbridge emergency notification system. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2021-05-31 | Government's' land ownership in German, Patric and Malew Parishes. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for maps of government-owned land in the parishes of German, Patrick, and Malew, but the response provided a list of properties located in Peel instead. The outcome was partial disclosure with some information exempted, though the specific exemptions were not detailed in the text. | ||
| 2021-05-20 | Rainfall and flash floods | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2021-05-20 | HGV Commercial and Non Commercial and RTLC | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought HGV registration and licensing statistics, fee income, and RTLC operational costs and headcount for the Isle of Man between 2018 and 2021. The Department of Infrastructure provided vehicle data but withheld RTLC-specific information because the RTLC is a separate entity under the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2021-05-20 | Marine Drive Road Closure Proposal consultation | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for responses to the Marine Drive Road Closure Proposal consultation, but the Department of Infrastructure withheld all information citing a qualified exemption. | ||
| 2021-05-17 | Environmental Impact of the Promenade Redevelopment | Information not held |
| A request was made for environmental impact assessments, construction measures, and carbon footprint data regarding the Promenade Redevelopment. The Department of Infrastructure responded that none of this information exists as no assessments were undertaken or calculated for the project. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2021-05-12 | P50 Fire Extinguishers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for procurement details, costs, and correspondence regarding P50 plastic fire extinguishers and the Department's policy on plastic purchases. The Department of Infrastructure responded that it has not procured any P50 extinguishers itself, though some were installed by contractors or occupants, and released redacted correspondence regarding potential future use. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2021-05-04 | Contractor payment Peel Dredging | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for payment details regarding AD Bates Associates' work on the Peel Harbour Dredging Contract, but the Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information citing commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2021-04-08 | Attorney General Government Tenders | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked if the Isle of Man Attorney General had business interests in construction companies awarded contracts by the Department of Infrastructure over the last 10 years. The authority refused to provide the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible in public Government Audited Accounts. | ||
| 2021-04-07 | Ballahutchin Hill traffic data | All information sent |
| A request was made for detailed individual speed data of vehicular traffic on Ballahutchin Hill for September 2020 across three specific sites. The Department of Infrastructure responded by disclosing all requested information via three appendices. | ||
| 2021-03-30 | Monthly cost of airline subsidies and passenger numbers | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a monthly breakdown of subsidies paid to LoganAir and passenger numbers since March 2020, but the Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the financial data citing commercial and economic exemptions. | ||
| 2021-03-25 | BUS No 13 | All information sent |
| A requester asked for pre-pandemic average weekly passenger numbers for the Isle of Man's Bus No. 13, which the Department of Infrastructure clarified runs between Douglas and Laxey rather than Ramsey. The authority disclosed a table of passenger statistics covering a seven-month period from September 2019 to March 2020. | ||
| 2021-03-24 | Jobs given without interview or advertisement internal and external | All information sent |
| The requester asked the Department of Infrastructure for details on jobs filled without advertisement or interview in the past 24 months. The authority responded that 7 such posts were filled during that period. | ||
| 2021-03-23 | Creeping speed limits | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of previously derestricted roads in the Isle of Man that now have speed limits applied. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 10 specific road sections have had speed limits reintroduced since 2006. | ||
| 2021-03-22 | Harbour dues /abandoned boats | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding unpaid harbour dues, court actions against owners, and disposal costs for abandoned boats. The authority disclosed that 36 boats have outstanding dues, only one owner was considered for court action, and £50,876.46 was spent disposing of 34 abandoned vessels over five years. | ||
| 2021-03-22 | Boat park/storage area dues | All information sent |
| The request sought details on boats with outstanding storage dues and associated civil debt actions at the Department of Infrastructure's boat parks. The authority disclosed that 54 vessels have outstanding fees but confirmed no civil court actions have been taken, explaining that the Department relies on lien powers under the Harbours Act for recovery. | ||
| 2021-03-22 | I'm requesting information on vehicle testing | All information sent |
| The requester sought guidelines and regulatory information regarding vehicle testing on the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the specific manuals and legislation used by examiners and confirmed that testers are regulated under the Road Traffic Act 1985. | ||
| 2021-03-18 | Affordable Housing | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for the number of affordable housing units delivered in 2020, defined as newly made available to eligible applicants. The authority disclosed that 15 such units were delivered during that calendar year. | ||
| 2021-03-10 | Steam coal | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on steam coal procurement for the Isle of Man Steam Railway, including usage, costs, and transport logistics. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the annual usage and transport method but withheld specific cost figures and contract renewal dates due to an ongoing tender process. | ||
| 2021-03-09 | How many vehicles are registered | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the total number of government vehicles registered on the Isle of Man and whether duty is shown on their tax discs. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed there are 1,230 registered vehicles and stated that duty is shown on all discs except for those belonging to exempt services like the police and emergency services. | ||
| 2021-03-08 | Temporary marquee for the storage of tramcars at Summerland | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the cost, usage, and removal of a temporary marquee used for storing tramcars at Summerland. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the completion date of the new depot and current usage, but withheld specific removal costs and directed the requester to a public news article for purchase/rental details. | ||
| 2021-02-25 | Reporting of potholes | All information sent |
| The request sought monthly statistics on pothole reports and repair actions from November 2020 to February 2021. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the number of reports, repairs, escalations, and outstanding cases for each month in the specified period. | ||
| 2021-02-25 | Number of Road Traffic Accidents | All information sent |
| A request was made for road traffic accident statistics on the Mountain Road and Marine Drive over the past 10 years, excluding TT and MGP periods. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed injury collision figures for the available data period from 2015 to 2020. | ||
| 2021-02-23 | Poortown Road Peel, 40mph buffer zone speed monitoring data | All information sent |
| The requester asked for speed monitoring data and equipment locations regarding a proposed 40mph buffer zone on Poortown Road, Peel. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed historic traffic survey data from 2011 and confirmed the equipment location in an appendix. | ||
| 2021-02-22 | Cost of Douglas promenade regeneration from APRIL 2018 until February | All information sent |
| A request was made for the total taxpayer cost of the Douglas promenade regeneration scheme between April 2018 and February 2021. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the specific total cost for the period ending 31 January 2021. | ||
| 2021-02-11 | Woodbourne Road - complaints and accidents | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on complaints regarding a zebra crossing and road traffic collisions on Woodbourne Road. The Department of Infrastructure provided a partial response, disclosing specific collision data while redacting complaint details and most accident specifics. | ||
| 2021-02-08 | Promenade temporary highways risk assessment | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a formal risk assessment regarding the conversion of the South Promenade into a temporary highway, but the Department of Infrastructure confirmed no written assessment exists, citing internal discussions and specific safety measures instead. | ||
| 2021-01-26 | Status of the Green Lane User Group and its relationship with the DoI | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the formation, governance, funding, and relationship between the Green Lane User Group (GLUG) and the Department of Infrastructure (DoI). The DoI disclosed that GLUG is an unregulated advisory group formed in 2002 with no specific budget, chaired by a DoI employee to facilitate communication and volunteer work. | ||
| 2021-01-18 | Curragh Road (A3) road crossing (Heritage Trail / Former Railway Line) | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for documentation regarding the design, safety, and installation of a pink crossing and gates at the Curragh Road Heritage Trail. The Department of Infrastructure withheld all requested information, citing an exemption related to ongoing legal proceedings. | ||
| 2021-01-12 | Loganair Subsidies | All information sent |
| The requester asked for details on funding committed by the Department of Infrastructure to Loganair for 2021 to support new and former Flybe routes. The authority disclosed that no financial support was committed for these specific route developments, as the announcement was made at Loganair's own risk. | ||
| 2021-01-11 | Richmond Hill | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for specialist reports, cost details, and correspondence regarding defective resurfacing work on Richmond Hill. The Department of Infrastructure responded with some information but withheld parts of the request under exemptions. | ||
| 2020-12-18 | Voluntary Landlord Registration Scheme | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for a list of landlords registered on the Voluntary Landlord Registration Scheme with contact details, but the Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information. | ||
| 2020-12-14 | Reports of damp in public sector housing | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the number of damp reports in public sector housing over the past five years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed data only for the current financial year, citing the inability to manually compile historical records without substantial effort. | ||
| 2020-12-14 | Minimum Standards for Public Sector Landlords | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the minimum standards applied to public sector landlords, and the Department of Infrastructure disclosed its specific compliance checks and operational policies for its own housing stock while noting it could not provide data for other providers. | ||
« Previous Page 13 of 20 Next »