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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-23 | Cost of Ronaldsway Airport SUVs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for detailed costs, specifications, and authorization records regarding two SUVs purchased for bird scaring at Ronaldsway Airport. The Department of Infrastructure responded on 14 October 2024, stating that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt. | ||
| 2024-09-20 | Where is mileage measured from | Information not held |
| A request was made to determine the specific starting points for mileage measurements on Isle of Man milestones, such as those in Douglas and Port Erin. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold this information because they do not own the milestones, only repairing them when damaged. | ||
| 2024-09-17 | FOI responses - Disclosure Log 4095513 | Not upheld |
| The requester sought the total cost and number of Freedom of Information responses provided by the Department of Infrastructure for the financial years 2021/22 to 2024/25. The authority confirmed that the previously disclosed costs for the Information Governance team apply to the whole department and provided a table of case numbers processed annually. | ||
| 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 | Minibus disposals | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought details on the current Bus Vannin minibus fleet and any minibuses disposed of since 2013. The Department of Infrastructure provided a full list of current vehicles but confirmed that no Bus Vannin minibuses have been auctioned or disposed of since 2013. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-09-02 | FoI Costs | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the specific costs of providing Freedom of Information responses over the past three financial years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the total costs for its Information Governance and Data Protection team but stated it does not hold specific figures isolating FOI response costs from other duties. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-08-23 | Cost of 'cherished' registration numbers on DOI vehicles | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for costs and policy details regarding cherished registration numbers on Department of Infrastructure Public Transport vehicles since 2015. The authority disclosed that no costs were incurred for these plates, confirmed there is no specific policy, and refused to answer questions requiring the creation of new information. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-08-21 | Isle of Man airport new vehicle | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the cost and type of a new vehicle purchased for bird scaring at the Isle of Man airport. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the vehicle type and registration costs but withheld base vehicle and modification costs citing commercial confidentiality and economic interests. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-08-15 | Promenade Parking - Communications with Parking Controllers | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for communications regarding parking controllers issuing fixed penalty notices on Douglas Promenade before 10:00 am over the last three years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed a Beat Information Sheet but stated it does not hold rota records beyond two weeks or summaries of non-written communications. | ||
| 2024-08-12 | Jurby airport data | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details regarding a Jurby airport map, departmental papers, and ministerial communications concerning the airfield strategy. The Department of Infrastructure provided the map's creation date and submission method, confirmed no specific department paper existed, and disclosed a link to a strategy document, but withheld information on Council of Ministers proceedings under a policy formulation exemption. | ||
| 2024-08-09 | Jurby airport | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request for information regarding the potential use of Jurby airport as a new national airport was made to the Department of Infrastructure, but no information was disclosed as it was deemed exempt under sections 34 and 35 of the Freedom of Information Act. | ||
| 2024-08-09 | Jurby airport | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for all correspondence regarding Jurby airport proposals between January 2023 and August 2024, but the Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose any information citing exemptions for government policy formulation and ministerial advice. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-08-07 | Accident A3 25/04/2022 | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for detailed records regarding High Friction Surfacing works on the A3 at Sulby Bridge in early 2022 following an accident, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded with a purchase order and a code of practice document while stating not all information was held. | ||
| 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 | Ferry terminal | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for information regarding the Liverpool ferry terminal's snagging list, passenger access bridge availability, and seating capacity was partially fulfilled. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the number of seats but withheld the snagging list under commercial prejudice exemptions and stated they did not hold data on the access bridge issues. | ||
| 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 | Driving Licence Applications - New Residents | Not required to fulfill request |
| The requester asked for statistics on driving licence exchanges from non-Isle of Man countries for 2022-2024, including refusals and processing times by country. The Department of Infrastructure refused to provide the detailed breakdown and processing times, citing that the data is not held in the requested format and compiling it would require substantial analysis not mandated by the FOI Act. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2024-07-31 | Copies of Minutes of Meetings | Information not held |
| A request was made for meeting minutes from the last three years regarding a proposed runway extension at Jurby and a list of recipients. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold or could not find the requested information. | ||
| 2024-07-30 | Information related to the proposed runway at Jurby | Information not held |
| A request was made for details regarding the drafting of plans for a proposed runway at Jurby, including the organization involved, qualifications, and dates. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold the requested information. | ||
| 2024-07-30 | Douglas Sea Wall | All information sent |
| The requester asked for contract assurances regarding the quality of the new Douglas Sea Wall due to reports of crumbling material. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the project uses an NEC4 contract requiring test panels and allows for defect notifications to be remedied at the contractor's cost. | ||
| 2024-07-25 | Salt Boxes | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the analysis report and policy regarding the removal of a salt box on Springfield Avenue. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that no written report existed as the decision was based on a visual inspection and verbal briefing, while providing the general assessment criteria used for salt bin placement. | ||
| 2024-07-24 | Cost of individual bus routes | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual passenger numbers, daily costs, and daily income for specific Isle of Man bus routes for the 2023-2024 financial year. The Department of Infrastructure provided annual revenue and passenger figures but refused to calculate daily costs and income, citing that such data would need to be derived and would vary significantly based on operational factors. | ||
| 2024-07-23 | employees working from home | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for statistics on employees working from home between December 2022 and December 2023, but the Department of Infrastructure disclosed that it does not hold records for ad hoc arrangements, only noting one formal case. | ||
| 2024-07-23 | Flight Cancellation | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made regarding the closure time of Ronaldsway Airport runway on 15 June 2023 and its link to an easyJet flight cancellation. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the runway closed at its normal time, the flight was cancelled due to airline delays preventing operation past the 2300 hrs curfew, and no information was held regarding the specific cause of those airline delays. | ||
| 2024-07-19 | Service 28 - Cregneash | Upheld - partial |
| The requester asked for financial viability figures, ticket breakdowns, costs, and schedules for the discontinued Service 28 bus route to Cregneash. The Department of Infrastructure partially upheld the request, releasing passenger statistics, ticket values, estimated operational costs, and historical service schedules. | ||
| 2024-07-18 | Guidance for practical motorcycle tests | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for guidance used by examiners for practical motorcycle tests, specifically regarding fault definitions. The Department of Infrastructure stated that while general test guidance is available in hardcopy, no specific document defining faults exists, as faults are determined by failure to meet testable requirements. | ||
| 2024-07-16 | Equipment Rental | All information sent |
| The requester asked for annual spending on temporary traffic lights and road work signage from Watling Street Works for 2022-2023. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that specific costs could not be separated, providing a combined total of £39,978 for all traffic management services from that supplier. | ||
| 2024-07-08 | Query regarding rentals and Public Sector Housing | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the number of people waiting for public sector housing and private rentals broken down by constituency. The Department of Infrastructure provided public sector waiting list figures by housing provider as of April 2024 but refused to provide private rental data or constituency breakdowns. | ||
| 2024-07-02 | Vehicle speed monitoring Barregarrow Crossroads Kirk Michael | Information not held |
| A request was made for traffic flow and speed data at Barregarrow Crossroads on the A3, but the Department of Infrastructure confirmed they do not hold this information as no counters are currently installed at that location. | ||
| 2024-07-01 | Maintenance and plans for abandoned property | Information not held |
| A request was made regarding the maintenance, safety, and future plans for the abandoned Cooil Ny Marrey property in Ramsey. The Department of Infrastructure responded that they do not hold the requested information and suggested contacting local housing committees instead. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | Fixed Penalty Notice **REDACTED** | Not required to fulfill request |
| The applicant requested evidence including photographs and emails regarding a disputed parking fine, but the Department of Infrastructure refused the request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 because the information constitutes absolutely exempt personal data. | ||
| 2024-06-18 | Roundel road traffic collisions | All information sent |
| A request was made for the number of road traffic collisions at the Douglas roundel from 2021 onwards. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that only one personal injury collision was recorded in 2022, with zero incidents in 2021, 2023, and up to May 2024. | ||
| 2024-06-05 | On-call information | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding on-call staff hours, pay rates, and response times. The authority disclosed specific operational details for Highways and Housing divisions but withheld pay rate information citing public availability and personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2024-05-28 | Maximum load weights | All information sent |
| The request sought maximum load weights for linkspans and piers at Douglas and Heysham ports. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that Heysham assets are not under their control, Douglas pier capacities are unknown due to age, and provided specific weight limits for Douglas Link Spans 1 and 5. | ||
| 2024-05-23 | Complaints of bus drivers | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on complaints against Bus Vannin drivers over two years, details on handling procedures, and improvements to customer service. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed full complaint logs for 2022-2024, explained their processing workflow, and outlined initiatives involving local charities and hidden disability support. | ||
| 2024-05-21 | Procedures for dealing with FOI requests | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for training materials and advice on handling Freedom of Information requests, including specific guidance on refusals and exemptions. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed publicly accessible guidance links and internal training materials but stated that specific advice documents on deflecting requests or extending processing periods were not held. | ||
| 2024-05-21 | Legal licences for the killing of birds at the airport | All information sent |
| The requester asked for copies of specific licences issued for killing birds at the Isle of Man Airport from 2019 to date. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no specific licence exists for the airport, but provided a link to the relevant general licences issued by DEFA. | ||
| 2024-05-16 | Wildlife killed at the airport since 2019 | All information sent |
| The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for data on wildlife killed at the Isle of Man airport since 2019, disclosing specific culling figures, species details, and methods used. | ||
| 2024-05-14 | Bus Vannin cost savings | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for specific cost savings figures for Bus Vannin's Connect Villages service by financial year, but the Department of Infrastructure provided a qualitative explanation of savings mechanisms and average annual figures instead of a year-by-year breakdown. | ||
| 2024-05-13 | Legal definition of a caravan | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for the legal definition of a caravan following restrictions on permanent imports to the Isle of Man. The Department of Infrastructure refused to send the information directly, citing that it is already reasonably accessible to the public via a provided link to Tynwald legislation. | ||
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