Ferry terminal

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The Department of Infrastructure does not hold information on the frequency or reasons for passenger access bridge unavailability.
• The snagging list of ongoing issues was withheld to protect commercial interests and avoid prejudicing ongoing project activities.
• There are 328 seats available in the terminal's departure lounge.
• The request was received on 5 August 2024 and the response was issued on 9 September 2024.
• The authority cited section 30(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 as the basis for exemption.

Data Disclosed

• 328
• 2024-08-05
• 2024-09-10
• 4037443
• section 30(2)(b)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (prejudice to commercial interests and ongoing activities)

Original Request

I seek the publication of the snagging list of ongoing issues with the new ferry terminal in Liverpool. I also seek a breakdown of how many times the passenger access bridge has been unavailable sine the terminal opened and the reasons for these issues. Finally, I seek the total number of seats available in the terminal's departure lounge.

Data Tables (1)

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: 4037443 9 September 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 5 August 2024, which states:

"I seek the publication of the snagging list of ongoing issues with the new ferry terminal in Liverpool.
I also seek a breakdown of how many times the passenger access bridge has been unavailable sine the terminal opened and the reasons for these issues.
Finally, I seek the total number of seats available in the terminal's departure lounge."

Information exempt: While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(2)(b) of the Act as it would prejudice the Department’s ongoing activities in relation to the project. This is in relation to the ‘snagging list of ongoing issues’ that you have requested.

Factors in favour of disclosure: • The need to hold public authorities to account for their stewardship of public resources • To build public trust and transparency in the operation of the economy.

Factors in favour of maintaining the exemption: • The need to protect the commercial interests of the Department of Infrastructure, whose commercially related functions need to be exercised in the wider context of the public interest • Disclosure would unfairly prejudice the Department’s activities going forward • This is an ongoing/ live matter

Information not held: In addition, 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 the information relating to breakdown of the number of times that the passenger access bridge has been unavailable and the reasons for this.

Information held:

There are 328 seats available in the terminal’s departure lounge.

Please quote the reference number 4037443 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.