Promenade temporary highways risk assessment

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• No formal written risk assessment was completed prior to the highway conversion.
• The Department of Infrastructure is responsible for managing risks associated with the temporary highway.
• Public safety was ensured through fenced segregation of pedestrians from traffic.
• A lower speed limit was implemented for the southbound traffic lane.
• The route may be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians during inclement weather causing coastal overtopping.

Data Disclosed

• 1664669
• 2021-02-08
• 2021-03-08
• 8 March 2021
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785

Original Request

Can I kindly request the following: 1) The risk assessment completed prior to converting the sea wall walkway into a highway (South prom, from villa to sea terminal). 2) who is responsible for managing risk factors presented by the aforementioned changes to the prom. 3) if a risk assessment is not available, can I kindly ask why and what other documentation is available to show public safety was accounted for when opening the temporary highway. Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team/DWG/MF Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1664669 8 March 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 8 February 2021 and which states:

"Can I kindly request the following: 1) The risk assessment completed prior to converting the sea wall walkway into a highway (South prom, from villa to sea terminal). 2) who is responsible for managing risk factors presented by the aforementioned changes to the prom. 3) if a risk assessment is not available, can I kindly ask why and what other documentation is available to show public safety was accounted for when opening the temporary highway." The answers to your questions are as follows: 1) There is no formal written risk assessment but the provision of the south bound route was discussed and considered by various Department officers prior to implementation. 2) The Department of Infrastructure is responsible for ensuring any risk is managed in a safe manner. 3) No additional documentation is available. However, public safety was and remains the first and most important factor. This can be demonstrated as follows: • by the secure fenced segregation of pedestrians away from the south bound traffic lane • the lower speed limit for traffic using the southbound lane • the clear and abundant signage which directs and segregates the vehicular traffic from pedestrian areas • the introduction of highly visible pedestrian crossing points where pedestrians have to cross the traffic lane

• provision for bus stops along the walkway – agreement with public transport that passengers take president to walk out of the traffic lane before the bus moves away and thus preventing any conflict for the passenger with other south bound vehicles • daily monitoring of the traffic management arrangement and fencing / cones to ensure any displacement is corrected at the earliest possible opportunity • the consideration of the Department to close the route to both vehicles and pedestrians should inclement weather conditions cause coastal overtopping. Please quote the reference number 1664669 in any future communications.

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Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team