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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-18 | Dhoon Quarry | Information not held |
| The requester asked for documentation regarding the closure of Dhoon Quarry as a motorbike facility, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that no such records exist because the restriction was implemented via verbal instruction. | ||
| 2025-11-18 | Public Rights of Way - Poyll Dooey, Ramsey | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made regarding the status of a Section 88 Highways Act application for public rights of way at Poyll Dooey, Ramsey. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the submission date and current status but withheld draft maps and orders under a policy formulation exemption. | ||
| 2025-11-17 | Personal Safety Measures for Housing Officers Conducting Home Visits | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought comprehensive safety policies and incident data for housing officers conducting home visits, but the response only disclosed a partial document regarding sharps and needle-stick injuries while withholding other requested information. | ||
| 2025-11-17 | Tynwald Member and government staff parking. | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence regarding the decision to charge Tynwald Members and government staff for parking between November 2024 and the present. The Department of Infrastructure released some documents but redacted portions citing exemptions related to personal data and ministerial communications. | ||
| 2025-11-11 | Claims for injury for past year | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the number of injury claims due to slips or falls in Castletown Square over the past year and whether compensation was received. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed one claim was received but stated they do not hold information regarding compensation outcomes. | ||
| 2025-11-06 | Port Erin 20mph | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for details on the methodology, software, and external consultants used to define Port Erin's proposed 20mph speed limits. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no automated processes or external consultants were used, relying instead on manual officer assessments, and stated that no supporting technical documentation is held. | ||
| 2025-11-05 | Information on Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice | Some information sent but not all held |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (TTRN) data from 2015 to 2025, disclosing only application counts for 2024 and 2025 while refusing other data due to lack of records. | ||
| 2025-10-30 | ISLE OF MAN REGISTRATION SEQENCES | Information not held |
| The requester asked for the Department of Infrastructure's plan for vehicle registration sequences after the current 'TMN' series is exhausted. The authority responded that no such plans exist yet because the current series will last approximately five years. | ||
| 2025-10-28 | Consultation on proposed amendments to the Local Government Act 1985 | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for all submissions regarding amendments to the Local Government Act 1985 embodied in the 2023 Bill. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that no submissions were received from local authorities in summer 2025 but withheld a report on earlier consultations under a policy formulation exemption. | ||
| 2025-10-28 | Request for information on Ex-Police vehicle | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for the service history and repair records of a specific ex-police Ford Tourneo Connect vehicle. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to the prejudice of commercial interests and fair competition in the vehicle disposal process. | ||
| 2025-10-27 | No. 21 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on work undertaken, costs, operational status, and future budgets for Isle of Man Steam Railway locomotives. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that lifetime records do not exist, but provided detailed work summaries and a total cost of £195,202 for the preceding twelve months, along with current operational statuses and planned work for 2026. | ||
| 2025-10-27 | The new Liverpool ferry terminal used by the Isle of Man Steam Packet | All information sent |
| The request sought the names of consultants appointed by the Department of Infrastructure for the new Liverpool ferry terminal lease and construction. The authority disclosed that Turner and Townsend, The Manser Practice, and Aecom were the appointed consultants for project management, architecture, and engineering services respectively. | ||
| 2025-10-27 | The new ferry terminal liverpool | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for expenditure and estimated completion costs regarding the new Liverpool ferry terminal for the Isle of Man Steam Packet service. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing legal professional privilege and the risk of financial prejudice due to ongoing disputes. | ||
| 2025-10-21 | FOI Request - Payments to UCM for Driving Theory Test Delivery | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for payment details and contracts between the Department of Infrastructure and University College Isle of Man regarding driving theory tests. The authority provided some information but withheld specific fee structures and pricing methodologies under commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2025-10-08 | Driving theory test appeals | All information sent |
| The requester asked for statistics on driving theory test appeals and their success rates between January 2015 and October 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that eight appeals were lodged during this period, all of which were unsuccessful. | ||
| 2025-10-08 | Douglas Inner Harbour dredging | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request for details on Douglas Inner Harbour dredging activities, including disposal locations, costs, and contractors, was partially fulfilled by the Department of Infrastructure. While disposal coordinates and historical silt quantities were provided, information regarding specific companies and costs was withheld under commercial interest exemptions. | ||
| 2025-10-08 | Local Authority Fixed Penalty Notices | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for data on local authority requests to revoke fixed penalty notices issued to elected Board Members since May 2025. The authority responded that the requested information is not held. | ||
| 2025-10-07 | Request electrical substation information | Not required to fulfill request |
| 2025-10-07 | Request on Land Alterations | Information not held |
| A request was made for land alteration filings and appeals regarding a proposed agricultural development on Mines Road, but the Department of Infrastructure stated it does not hold the information as planning matters fall under the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. | ||
| 2025-10-03 | Psc payaward v non psc payaward | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for a comparison of percentage pay awards between PSC senior civil servants and non-PSC manual workers (bus drivers and cleaners) since 2012. The authority responded that the information is not held and suggested contacting the Office of Human Resources within The Cabinet Office instead. | ||
| 2025-09-30 | Number of unlicensed vehicles on the Island | All information sent |
| The request sought the total number of registered vehicles on the Isle of Man and the count of those without current road tax. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that 167,716 vehicles are registered, with 89,519 currently untaxed, noting some may no longer be on the island. | ||
| 2025-09-17 | Planning breach - rear of 2 Victoria Terrace, Glen Rd, Laxey | All information sent |
| The requester asked for costs associated with an unauthorized patio structure built at 2 Victoria Terrace, Laxey, funded by the Flood Management Division. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the specific cost for the patio construction was £5,650.00, inclusive of materials and labour. | ||
| 2025-09-16 | Road closure application supporting documents | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for supporting documents regarding road closures for the Isle of Man Festival of Motoring for 2024 and 2025, but the Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose any information. | ||
| 2025-09-16 | Tax discs | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the costs, quantities, and future of paper tax discs since January 2020. The authority disclosed the total cost, the number of discs printed via different channels, and confirmed that removing paper discs is being explored as part of digitization efforts. | ||
| 2025-09-11 | Liverpool Sailing Times | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding the reasoning for changing Mannanan sailing times to Liverpool and for specific passenger figures and tidal data. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company instead. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | FOIA of all incidents/repairs of North Quay | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for all repairs, complaints, and incidents along North Quay between June 2005 and August 2015. The Department of Infrastructure provided some information but withheld personal data under absolute exemption. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | Sea terminal car parking | All information sent |
| The request sought the total number of car parking spaces at the Isle of Man Sea Terminal (excluding Parade Street) and the number of valid parking permits. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there are 208 total spaces and 300 permits issued in 2025. | ||
| 2025-09-08 | Fallen Stock and Animal Waste Processing Plant | Some information sent but part exempt |
| 2025-09-05 | Requests for UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency Helicopter Airlifts | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2025-08-28 | Cost of Scaffolding Erected at Douglas City Tram Stables in Douglas | All information sent |
| A request was made for details regarding the scaffolding erected at the Douglas City Tram Stables, including costs, contractors, and maintenance responsibilities. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the scaffolding was hired from Absolute Scaffolding for urgent structural concerns, providing specific costs for the hire and traffic management. | ||
| 2025-08-20 | Parking permits 4883712 | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of resident parking permits issued to vehicles exceeding weight limits between 2018 and the present. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no such permits have been issued and explained the verification process used to ensure compliance. | ||
| 2025-08-18 | MHK parking | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought correspondence regarding the decision to charge Members of the House of Keys for parking, resulting in the disclosure of a policy document and emails confirming the introduction of fees from June 2025, though personal contact details were redacted. | ||
| 2025-08-18 | Poles | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for communications regarding pole installations for the 20mph rollout, resulting in the disclosure of internal emails and a stop work instruction, though some personal data was withheld under exemption. | ||
| 2025-08-14 | Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) access request | All information sent |
| The requester asked for Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) information for a specific section of Ballaquayle road in Douglas. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the TROs concern waiting restrictions and provided links to the relevant legislation documents. | ||
| 2025-08-05 | Manxman | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the investigation report regarding the grounding of the MV Manxman in Douglas Harbour on March 1, 2025. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed that all information was released and provided a direct link to the report on the government website. | ||
| 2025-08-04 | Ramsey Marina Design Work Budget | Information not held |
| The requester asked for details on funding and documentation regarding initial design work for a proposed Ramsey Marina between 2005 and 2025. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting the Public Records Office. | ||
| 2025-07-22 | NDA between government department and an i divide allowed manx citizen | Neither confirm or deny information held |
| The requester asked for details on Non-Disclosure Agreements and correspondence between the Department of Infrastructure and a specific individual regarding disabled access to public transport in 2021. The authority refused to confirm or deny holding the information due to data protection exemptions and stated that specific correspondence could not be located. | ||
| 2025-07-03 | Why has the short pier by Peel Castle been closed for over a year? | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the rationale and documentation behind the closure of the short pier by Peel Castle, which the Department of Infrastructure attributed to subsidence damage and safety concerns regarding heavy vehicle parking. The authority disclosed that no formal risk assessment or closure order was issued as the decision was made mutually on-site, and confirmed that repair designs are complete while awaiting funding. | ||
| 2025-07-02 | Statistics on Road Traffic Safety Relating to Proposed 20mph Limits | Information not held |
| The requester asked for Isle of Man-specific data and impact assessments supporting the proposed 20mph speed limit rollout, but the Department of Infrastructure stated it does not hold this information as the policy was mandated by Tynwald. | ||
| 2025-07-02 | Tynwald Members to Pay For Parking | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the parking policy or letter regarding Tynwald Members paying for parking, and the Department of Infrastructure disclosed the full 'Government Car Parking Policy- Tynwald Members' document. | ||
| 2025-06-30 | Derby Square road and pavement last renewal | Information not held |
| A request was made for the exact dates of the last proper replacement of roads and pavements in Derby Square, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that this information is not held. | ||
| 2025-06-25 | Safety issues/ concerns raised | Not upheld |
| A request was made for all public safety concerns and actions taken at the Isle of Man airport over the past five years, specifically regarding air traffic control. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing an absolute exemption under aviation safety reporting laws. | ||
| 2025-06-25 | Weight limits on roads in peel | All information sent |
| The request sought weight limits for all roads in Peel, including the industrial park. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed specific tonnage restrictions for six road sections and confirmed that all other roads in the area are subject to a standard 38,000kg limit. | ||
| 2025-06-23 | FOI Request - Spped Monitoring data for Port St Mary - 20mph limit | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for speed monitoring data in Port St Mary before and after the implementation of 20mph limits, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded with partial data covering 19 days in May 2025. | ||
| 2025-06-23 | Burial Ground Rates | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for financial statements and revenue budget submissions for the Onchan Burial Ground Authority from 2017 to 2024. The Department of Infrastructure provided some budget documents but exempted personal data and directed the requester to the Tynwald Library for the financial statements. | ||
| 2025-06-05 | Oversight of SCAS Administrative Role of Port Erin Commissioners | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought documentation regarding the Department of Infrastructure's oversight of Port Erin Commissioners' administrative and HR roles at the Southern Civic Amenity Site. The response disclosed email correspondence between the Castletown and Rushen Clerks and the SCAS Board Clerk, revealing concerns over budget proposals and information flow, though the outcome indicates some information was exempt. | ||
| 2025-05-29 | Public Sector Housing | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number and reasons of complaints regarding public sector housing standards from 2020 to 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that six specific complaints were recorded, detailing issues such as mould, damp, asbestos, and heating failures. | ||
| 2025-05-29 | Please provide details of works carried out to Hangar 5 | All information sent |
| The request sought details on tenancy, maintenance costs, and alternative usage of Hangar 5 since it was vacated by European Aviation Maintenance. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the hangar has no tenants, has incurred specific maintenance costs, and is currently used for government storage without generating rental revenue. | ||
| 2025-05-28 | Castletown Square shambles | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought internal notes and decision records regarding the permanent closure of Castletown Square by DOI officers Kevin Almond and Paul Davis. The Department of Infrastructure released some correspondence but redacted significant portions citing exemptions related to ministerial decision-making and legal privilege. | ||
| 2025-05-23 | Public Feedback on 20mph Speed Limit | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for a breakdown of public feedback on proposed 20mph speed limits, but the Department of Infrastructure only disclosed the total number of submissions received. The detailed analysis and sentiment breakdown were withheld under Section 41 of the FOI Act 2015 as the consultation analysis was still ongoing. | ||
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