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
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-08 | Tree Branch Cutting Around Bray Hill Area | All information sent |
| A request was made to understand the rationale behind the removal of foliage from trees on Port-E-Chee Ave and High View Rd in Bray Hill. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the work was based on a tree survey following complaints and licensed advice to use pollarding for height restriction and tree longevity. | ||
| 2024-05-07 | QE2 school changes | Information not held |
| A request was made for email communications between QE2 School and Bus Vannin regarding September 2023 timetable changes, but the Department of Infrastructure responded that the information is not held. | ||
| 2024-05-01 | Printing and Signage. | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a breakdown of Department of Infrastructure spending on printing and signage with six specific companies over the last three years. The authority disclosed the total amounts spent with each company, revealing significant expenditure with Signrite and Words and Spaces, while Cannell Print had zero spending. | ||
| 2024-04-30 | Cars seized without tax in a public area | All information sent |
| The requester asked for data on vehicles seized by the Department of Infrastructure for lacking tax in 2024. The authority disclosed that 60 vehicles were seized for being untaxed for over 30 days and 354 tickets were issued for the same offence between January and May 2024. | ||
| 2024-04-24 | Roads | Not upheld |
| The requester sought correspondence, meeting minutes, and telephone recordings regarding the 'Roundhouse' roadway between the Department of Infrastructure, Manx Care, and DHSC from October 2021 to April 2024. The Department of Infrastructure responded with the Highways Act 1986, and the request was ultimately not upheld. | ||
| 2024-04-23 | Removal of signs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for correspondence regarding the removal of signs from their garden wall by Parish Wardens. The Department of Infrastructure released some internal emails and hard copy documents but withheld personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2024-04-23 | vehicle tax and licensing | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for clarification on vehicle registration fees, the purpose of vehicle tax, and refund policies under Isle of Man law. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent, addressing the £15 registration fee, the destination of revenue, and the specific legal conditions required for tax refunds. | ||
| 2024-04-22 | Removal of signs - E-mail Correspondence with XXRedacted NameXX | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought documentation regarding the removal of disabled bay signs by Department of Infrastructure staff, including job descriptions and authorizations, following a dispute over the signs' storage and return. The Department responded that some information was sent but part of the request was exempt, citing a formal complaint that halted direct communication. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Complaint against Ms Moreblessing Pedhuru | Some information sent but not all held |
| The applicant requested copies of correspondence and answers to questions regarding a complaint against Ms Moreblessing Pedhuru and legal advice from the Attorney General. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed limited information regarding postal procedures and signage evaluations but withheld legal advice due to privilege and refused to generate new information or answer repeated questions. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Scrap and abandoned boats | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought costs for scrapping the Venture and Boy Ken vessels, pollution charges, and plans for a derelict lifeboat. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that the Venture was disposed of privately and the lifeboat is scheduled for removal, but withheld Boy Ken scrapping costs citing commercial interests. | ||
| 2024-04-16 | Number of first time buyers single applicants | All information sent |
| 2024-04-16 | Poortown Road Signage | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought correspondence with the Attorney General's Chambers and internal reports regarding the inspection and removal of signage on Poortown Road. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed some emails related to signage complaints but withheld legally privileged legal advice and specific inspection reports. | ||
| 2024-04-04 | First Time Buyers Scheme | All information sent |
| A requester asked the Department of Infrastructure for statistics and financial details regarding the First Time Buyers Scheme, specifically focusing on equity buyouts, interest payments, and the allocation of surplus income since 2018. The authority confirmed that all requested information was sent to the applicant on May 9, 2024. | ||
| 2024-03-27 | Parking Spaces in Douglas. | All information sent |
| 2024-03-27 | Correspondence and Notes relating to Housing Deficiency Payments | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought correspondence and notes regarding Housing Deficiency Payments between February and March 2024, resulting in a partial disclosure where some documents were released while others were withheld due to exemptions. | ||
| 2024-03-25 | The wreck of the "Boy Ken" | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2024-03-22 | Accident Statistics | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2024-03-20 | The wreck of the "Boy Ken". | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought confirmation of rumors regarding the award of a contract to JCK Limited for the disposal of the wrecked vessel 'Boy Ken' and details on cost recovery from the owner. The Department of Infrastructure released tender documentation outlining the evaluation criteria and process but withheld specific information on the awarded contractor and cost recovery status under commercial confidence exemptions. | ||
| 2024-03-20 | Proposed Residential Development, Vollan Fields, Bride Road, Ramsey | All information sent |
| 2024-03-12 | Webcams | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2024-03-06 | Cost to the Isle of Man Government to Subsidise School Bus Fares | All information sent |
| 2024-02-29 | Ramsey Beach Clearance Communication with RTC | All information sent |
| 2024-02-27 | EV charging points in Government car parks | Information not held |
| 2024-02-20 | Glen Maye Main Road Condition - Jan 2021 - Nov 2021 | All information sent |
| 2024-02-14 | How many individuals obtained provisional license in 2023 | All information sent |
| 2024-02-07 | Qualifying factors for determining a specialised dept within JEGS | Information not held |
| 2024-02-06 | Driving theory and practical tests | All information sent |
| 2024-02-05 | Roads and relevant infrastructure | All information sent |
| 2024-02-05 | Rent Increase | All information sent |
| 2024-02-02 | Quantity of waste at Animal Waste Processing plant. | All information sent |
| 2024-01-24 | Tradesmen Parking Permits Price Increase | All information sent |
| 2024-01-22 | Steam Packet Evacuation Protocols | Information not held |
| 2024-01-17 | Draft North West Plan | Information not held |
| 2024-01-16 | South Drive, Noble's Hospital | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2024-01-05 | Information regarding Patrick Commissioners | All information sent |
| 2023-12-21 | DOI expenditure at NSC | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2023-12-19 | DOI Airport Staff pay scales | All information sent |
| 2023-12-19 | Safe guarding of children | Information not held |
| 2023-12-13 | JEGS correspondence | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2023-12-06 | Proposed southern link road between A1 & A27 at Peel | Information not held |
| 2023-11-30 | Vehicle License renewals | All information sent |
| 2023-11-30 | Mid Rent Scheme | All information sent |
| 2023-11-28 | Local Authority Membership | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2023-11-24 | Systra report into Heritage Railways 2023 | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2023-11-23 | Systra Heritage Railways Review | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| 2023-11-17 | Cost of diesel locomotive used by IOM Railways | All information sent |
| 2023-11-15 | Settled Employment Tribunals | Information not held |
| 2023-11-14 | Southern Amenity Site / Recycling Centre | Some information sent but not all held |
| 2023-11-14 | Parking Enforcement Procedures Manual | All information sent |
| 2023-11-08 | Tramway Terrace | All information sent |