Salt Boxes

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The specific salt bin on Springfield Avenue was damaged beyond repair and replaced 50 meters away.
• No written record or formal analysis report was created for the assessment of the damaged bin.
• Highway inspectors follow a verbal briefing policy requiring salt bins to be at least 200 meters apart.
• The Department intends to upgrade one of the two bins in the area to a larger capacity before winter.
• General assessment criteria include road severity, traffic flow, pedestrian volume, and proximity to schools or hospitals.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-07-25
• 2024-08-16
• 4013553
• 50 meters
• 200m
• 2.5%
• 500m
• 1200 salt bins

Original Request

Can you please provide me with a copy of the analysis or report that was carried out for determining the removal of a slat box on Springfield Avenue as shown on the drawing attached and what policy or procedure was used.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

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

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

Our ref: 4013553 20 August 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 25 July 2024, which states:

"Can you please provide me with a copy of the analysis or report that was carried out for determining the removal of a slat box on Springfield Avenue as shown on the drawing attached and what policy or procedure was used."

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.

I have detailed below the information that is held.
The salt bin identified was damaged beyond repair. Rather than replace it in the current location it was replaced with a bin roughly 50 meters away, as it was decided the replacement bin would be better utilised in the new position. There are now two salt bins within the same area— 200m apart from each other. The Department intends on upgrading one of the bins to a larger capacity bin before winter this year.

There was no written record carried out during the salt bin assessment. A visual inspection was carried out while on site, this allowed a better understanding of the site and context. Our highway inspectors make sure salt bins are no less than 200 meters apart (unless the site assessment dictates a steep incline where an additional or larger salt bin is required). It is this verbal briefing our officers receive prior to inspecting an area or responding to a request for a salt bin.

I have detailed below the information that is held.

Please quote the reference number 4013553 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Salt Bin Assessment Criteria The Department of Infrastructure, Highway Services Division supply and replenish approximately 1200 salt bins across the network. During periods of severe weather Highway Services receive requests from members of the public, businesses etc. for additional salt bins in their area.
It is therefore essential Highway Services adopt criteria for assessing the need for additional salt bins across the network. When deciding where to place a new or replacement salt bin Highway Services will consider a number of factors including the: • Severity of any road (gradient/slope greater than 2.5%, sharp bends with a radius of less than 500m, traffic speed etc.). • Level of any additional risk, such as ditches, junctions, surface water, uneven surfaces. • Approximate traffic flows. • Approximate pedestrian volume. • Proximity to a school of public bus route. • Proximity to a junction with a main road. • Available space for the bin to be located on the adopted highway including suitable safe space for the bin to be refilled • Must not obstruct sight lines or visibility splays. • Location on the existing treatment route. • Proximity to nearby bins should not be located within 200m walking distance of another salt bin. • Slope of road. • Any additional factors, such as the location of doctor’s surgeries, emergency services, hospitals, designated elderly person’s residents, churches etc.

The Department will apply the same criteria when replacing existing salt bins.