Where is mileage measured from

Summary

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.

Key Facts

• The Department of Infrastructure does not own the white Toblerone-shaped milestones on the island.
• The Department's blacksmiths have repaired milestones when they were severely damaged.
• The authority confirmed it does not hold information regarding where distances are measured from.
• The request was received on 20 September 2024 and closed on 16 October 2024.
• The specific milestone cited by the requester indicated a distance of 12 5/8ths miles to Port Erin.

Data Disclosed

• 12 5/8ths miles
• 20 September 2024
• 16 October 2024
• 4139477
• 01624 686785
• IM1 2RF

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held

Original Request

On one of the white Toblerone-shaped milestones on the Old Castletown Road (between The Nunnery and the White Hoe Ind Estate), it states it is 12 5/8ths miles to Port Erin, which is very specific. Therefore my question is - from where are distances in Douglas and each of the towns and villages around the Island measured? E.g. in Port Erin is it the station/ church/beach?

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: 4139477 16 October 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 20 September 2024, which states:

"On one of the white Toblerone-shaped milestones on the Old Castletown Road (between The Nunnery and the White Hoe Ind Estate), it states it is 12 5/8ths miles to Port Erin, which is very specific.

Therefore my question is - from where are distances in Douglas and each of the towns and villages around the Island measured? E.g. in Port Erin is it the station/ church/beach?"

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 that you have requested.

The Milestone markers are not owned by the Department of Infrastructure but have been repaired by the Department’s blacksmiths when they have been severely damaged. The Department does not hold the information that you have requested.

Please quote the reference number 4139477 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.