Castletown chaos

Summary

The request sought documentation regarding the Castletown Commissioners' application to permanently close Castletown Square, and the response disclosed internal emails and briefing notes detailing the consultation process, public objections, and the Minister's review of the Department's role.

Key Facts

• Castletown Commissioners requested a permanent closure of Castletown Square to vehicular traffic after successful temporary trials in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
• A consultation period for the permanent closure ended on 18 October 2024, receiving 17 responses with only 3 supporting the closure.
• A petition with 48 signatures was received by the deadline, while an additional petition with 223 signatures arrived after the deadline.
• Previous engagement by the Commissioners showed 74.79% of 592 respondents preferred the square to be pedestrianised.
• The Minister for Infrastructure requested a review of the Department's powers and role regarding the closure as of December 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 20/07/23
• 04 December 2024
• 02 December 2024
• 05/12/2024
• 18th October 2024
• 29th November
• 17 responses
• 3 supported
• 48 signatures
• 223 signatures
• 150 signatures
• 592 responses
• 442 respondents
• 74.79%

Exemptions Cited

• S25 (2)(a) & (b)(i)
• S35(b)(i)&(ii)

Original Request

Please provide a copy of all documentation from 20/07/23 to present produced by the department in relation to the application made by Castletown Commissioners to permanently close Castletown Sqaure. This should include policies referred to by Officers for decisions and rationale, time lines, internal emails and emails to other Departments such as Enterprise, Economic Development for this input and guidance. Regards

Data Tables (23)

Full Response Text

Appendix 1 1 From: Sent: 04 December 2024 14:10 To: Subject: RE: Castletown Square Dear Minister,

Please see below briefing details in relation to the TraƯic Regulation Order (TRO) requested by Castletown Commissioners.

General Background

Highway Services progress a limited number of area-based traƯic management schemes per year. These are focused on improving accessibility and road safety within residential areas.

Where a Local Authority wishes to introduce a TRO based traƯic management scheme in support of local economic or social aspirations, Highway Services will consider facilitating the necessary TRO’s subject to the Local Authority undertaking engagement with the local community and suƯicient evidence of support is provided.

Castletown Square

Castletown Commissioners approached Highway Services with a proposal to close Castletown Square to vehicular traƯic from Easter to October to enable the Square to be used as an event space to support economic and community aspirations. As there would be minimal road safety or accessibility issues Highway Services enabled the closure via a temporary traƯic regulation order (TTRO), allowing the Castletown Commissioners to trial the closure and undertake engagement with residents and businesses. The TTRO was in place in 2022, 2023 & 2024.

Castletown Commissioners have subsequently requested that the closure of Castletown Square to vehicular traƯic be made permanent. The Order was advertised on the 4th October, with a two-week consultation period and a deadline of the 18th October 2024.

17 responses were received, 3 of which supported the closure and a petition of 48 signatures was received by the deadline of the 18th of October 2024. An additional petition was received with 223 signatures after the closure date. The main objections were the closure of the Square during the winter where the removal of parking spaces was considered a greater deterrent to shoppers than during the summer months, and thus having a greater impact on town centre businesses; and that insuƯicient engagement had been undertaken by the Castletown Commissioners on extending the closure over the winter months.

Castletown Commissioners stated that their community engagement had indicated support for the closure. Castletown Commissioners are the driving force behind the permanent closure. The Department is obliged to review all correspondence both from objectors and supporters from a highway’s perspective. Castletown Commissioners had previously carried out engagement with regards to parking and pedestrianisation with the Square in which 592 responses were received. Question 3 of their engagement questionnaire asked, “Do you prefer the Square pedestrianised or as a carpark?” out of the 592 respondents, 442 (74.79%) preferred the square to be pedestrianised.

As of Friday 29th November, Castletown Commissioners continue to support an all year round closure of the Square to vehicular traƯic.

Possible next steps S35(b)(i)&(ii) 3 I have asked for a review on my Department’s role in the closure of the Square and an assessment of what powers I have in this regard. I am awaiting a response from oƯicers regarding this. I am also thankful to Mr Moorhouse for passing me a petition with about 150 signatures requesting that the Square remains closed to vehicles. I have arranged for this to be scanned and sent to the Commissioners. I urge you to continue to contact Castletown Commissioners as it was their request to keep the Square closed. Gura mie eu as yeeareeyn share Thanks and best wishes Michelle (she/her) Hon. Dr M Haywood MHK | Minister for Infrastructure
Department of Infrastructure | Sea Terminal Building | Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF
Tel: 01624 686644
Email: michelle.haywood@gov.im or Minister.DOI@gov.im
 Please don't print this email unless you really need to. Please note that I work at odd hours – sometimes well outside of the normal working day.
Please only reply to this message during your working hours. If you require any adjustment in the methods by which we communicate, please ask. Emails sent to the DoI Minister may be accessed by DoI Corporate Services staff to help ensure appropriate and timely responses. From: Sent: 04 December 2024 08:54 To: Haywood, Michelle (MHK) Michelle.Haywood@gov.im Cc: Glover, Tim (MHK) Tim.Glover@gov.im; Moorhouse, Jason Jason.Moorhouse@gov.im Subject: RE: Castletown Square Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
S25 (2)(a) & (b)(i) 4 From: Sent: 02 December 2024 15:56 To: 'Michelle.Haywood@gov.im' Michelle.Haywood@gov.im Cc: 'Glover, Tim (MHK)' Tim.Glover@gov.im; 'Moorhouse, Jason' Jason.Moorhouse@gov.im Subject: Castletown Square Importance: High S25 (2)(a) & (b)(i) S25 (2)(a) & (b)(i) 5 S25 (2)(a) & (b)(i) 1 Subject: Castletown Square TRO Discussion Location: Minister's Office Start: Thu 05/12/2024 15:30 End: Thu 05/12/2024 16:30 Show Time As: Tentative Recurrence: (none) Meeting Status: Not yet responded Organiser: DOI, CEO Office Meetings Required Attendees: Haywood, Michelle (MHK); Almond, Kevin Good morning,

Please accept this invitation for a discussion regarding the Castletown Square TRO.

Thank you

Best regards

(On behalf of the Minister & Chief Officer’s Office) | Business Support Officer l Central Support & Change Division Department of Infrastructure | Sea Terminal Building | Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF
Tel: 01624 686756

 Please don't print this email unless you really need to.

DOI Values: Communication; Respect; Teamwork; Recognition; Trust; Customer Service.

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish

1 From: Curphey, Emily Sent: 04 December 2024 10:00 To: Subject: FW: Castletown Square Hi

There is an email chain on this in my inbox – the last one is from Kevin Almond – can you look to pull something together for the Minister that explains the process for the Order?

Happy to review but I am in meetings all day today so won’t have time to do this.

Thanks

Emily

Emily Curphey MRTPI Chief Officer Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building Douglas Isle of Man
IM1 2RF

email: emily.curphey@gov.im

Telephone: 01624 685 161

 Consider the environment, please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to

DOI Values: CommunicaƟon; Respect; Teamwork; RecogniƟon; Trust; Customer Service.

From: Haywood, Michelle (MHK) Michelle.Haywood@gov.im
Sent: 04 December 2024 09:12 To:

Cc: Glover, Tim (MHK) Tim.Glover@gov.im; Moorhouse, Jason Jason.Moorhouse@gov.im; Griffiths, Hannah Hannah.Griffiths@gov.im; Curphey, Emily Emily.Curphey@gov.im Subject: RE: Castletown Square

Dear

Thanks for this and your earlier email. I apologise that you haven’t received an acknowledgment. 2

I have asked for a review on my Department’s role in the closure of the Square and an assessment of what powers I have in this regard. I am awaiting a response from oƯicers regarding this.

I am also thankful to Mr Moorhouse for passing me a petition with about 150 signatures requesting that the Square remains closed to vehicles. I have arranged for this to be scanned and sent to the Commissioners.

I urge you to continue to contact Castletown Commissioners as it was their request to keep the Square closed.

Gura mie eu as yeeareeyn share Thanks and best wishes

Michelle (she/her)

Hon. Dr M Haywood MHK | Minister for Infrastructure
Department of Infrastructure | Sea Terminal Building | Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF
Tel: 01624 686644
Email: michelle.haywood@gov.im or Minister.DOI@gov.im

 Please don't print this email unless you really need to.

Please note that I work at odd hours – sometimes well outside of the normal working day.
Please only reply to this message during your working hours.

If you require any adjustment in the methods by which we communicate, please ask.

Emails sent to the DoI Minister may be accessed by DoI Corporate Services staff to help ensure appropriate and timely responses.

From:

Sent: 04 December 2024 08:54 To: Haywood, Michelle (MHK) Michelle.Haywood@gov.im Cc: Glover, Tim (MHK) Tim.Glover@gov.im; Moorhouse, Jason Jason.Moorhouse@gov.im Subject: RE: Castletown Square

Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.

3 From: Sent: 02 December 2024 15:56 To: 'Michelle.Haywood@gov.im' Michelle.Haywood@gov.im Cc: 'Glover, Tim (MHK)' Tim.Glover@gov.im; 'Moorhouse, Jason' Jason.Moorhouse@gov.im Subject: Castletown Square Importance: High S35(b)(i)&(ii) S35(b)(i)&(ii) 4 S35(b)(i)&(ii) 1 From: Haywood, Michelle (MHK) Sent: 25 November 2024 14:17 To: Curphey, Emily; Griffiths, Hannah Subject: FW: Public Meeting Castletown Market Square Attachments: Requisition Call.pdf; Letter Minister DoI post reshuffle.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed Categories: HG Actioning I have replied to telling him that I am already committed to another engagement on Thursday and will not be attending. Best wishes Michelle From: Sent: 25 November 2024 12:49 To: Haywood, Michelle (MHK) Michelle.Haywood@gov.im Subject: Public Meeting Castletown Market Square Caution: This email is from an external sender. Please take care before opening any attachments or following any links.
Best regards To help p otect you p va y
Mic o so ft O fice p evented auto mat c downlo ad o f th s
p c u e f om the In e net Virus-free.www.avg.com S34(1)(d) 1 From: behalf of Curphey, Emily Sent: 31 December 2024 15:36 To: Subject: Letter to Chief Officer - Castletown Market Square Dear ,

On behalf of the Chief OƯicer, I wish to acknowledge your letter in relation to Castletown Market Square.

In Emily’s absence on leave, I have forwarded a copy of your letter onto the Interim Highways Director for review.

A response will be issued in due course.

Best regards

(On behalf of the Minister & Chief Officer’s Office) | Business Support Officer | Central Support & Change Division Department of Infrastructure | Sea Terminal Building | Douglas | Isle of Man | IM1 2RF
Tel: 01624 686756

 Please don't print this email unless you really need to.

DOI Values: Communication; Respect; Teamwork; Recognition; Trust; Customer Service.

WARNING: This email message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. You must not copy or deliver it to any other person or use the contents in any unauthorised manner without the express permission of the sender. If you are not the intended addressee of this e-mail, please delete it and notify the sender as soon as possible.

Section 35 1 From: Almond, Kevin Sent: 03 December 2024 10:38 To: Curphey, Emily Cc: Davis, Paul; Subject: RE: Castletown Square Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed Categories: Be aware important Hello Emily,

Further to comments.

General Background.

Highway Services can only progress a limited number of area-based traƯic management schemes per year.

These are focused on improving accessibility and road safety within residential areas.

However, where a Local Authority wishes to introduce a TRO based traƯic management scheme in support of local economic or social aspirations, Highway Services will consider facilitating the necessary TRO’s subject to the Local Authority undertaking engagement with the local community and suƯicient evidence of support is provided.

Castletown Square

Castletown Commissioners approached Highway Services with a proposal to close Castletown Square to vehicular traƯic from the Easter to October. To enable the Square to be used as an event space to support economic and community aspirations. Highway Services had no objection in principle as there would be minimal road safety or accessibility issues.

Highway Services enabled the closure via a temporary traƯic regulation order (TTRO), allowing the Castletown Commissioners to trial the closure and undertake engagement with residents and businesses. The TTRO was in place in 2022, 2023 & 2024.

Castletown Commissioners have subsequently requested that the closure of Castletown Square to vehicular traƯic be made permanent. Castletown Commissioners stated that their community engagement had indicated support for the closure (see previous notes on this matter).

A TRO was advertised to pedestrianise Castletown Square. In response, a number of objections were received (see previous notes on this matter). The main objections being the closure of the Square during the winter where the removal of parking spaces was considered a greater deterrent to shoppers than during the summer months, and thus have a greater impact on town centre businesses; and that insuƯicient engagement had been undertaken by the Castletown Commissioners on extending the closure over the winter months.

I am not minded to approve the proposed TRO after consideration of the objections received and subsequent public meeting. As of Friday 29th, Castletown Commissioners continue to support an all year round closure of the Square to vehicular traƯic.

2 Possible next steps Regards, Kevin Kevin Almond l Network Planning Manager Highway Services l Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF  Phone:
 Email:
@ Website: www.gov.im/infrastructure From: Curphey, Emily Emily.Curphey@gov.im
Sent: 02 December 2024 15:57 To: Cc: Davis, Paul Paul.Davis@gov.im; Almond, Kevin Kevin.Almond@gov.im; Subject: RE: Castletown Square Thanks That is really helpful – I will pick this up with Kevin now. Take care and thanks again
Emily
Emily Curphey MRTPI Chief Officer Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building Douglas Isle of Man
IM1 2RF email: emily.curphey@gov.im Section 35 S35(b)(i)&(ii) 3 Telephone: 01624 685 161

 Consider the environment, please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to

DOI Values: CommunicaƟon; Respect; Teamwork; RecogniƟon; Trust; Customer Service.

From:

Sent: 02 December 2024 08:02 To: Curphey, Emily Emily.Curphey@gov.im Cc: Davis, Paul Paul.Davis@gov.im; Almond, Kevin Kevin.Almond@gov.im;

Subject: RE: Castletown Square

Good Morning Emily,

Thank you for your email. I a

[Response truncated — full text is 92,597 characters]