Signage

Summary

A request for details on the purchase of 20mph signage across the Isle of Man was partially fulfilled, with specific dates, quantities, and locations disclosed, but exact costs were withheld under commercial interest exemptions.

Key Facts

• Signage for Port St Mary was ordered on 22 January 2025, while signage for Douglas and Onchan was ordered on 7 February 2025.
• A total of 116 signs for the 20mph speed limit have been ordered.
• Specific costs for the signs were exempted under section 30(2)(b) to protect commercial interests.
• An estimated 106 signs are designated for Douglas and Onchan, and 10 for Port St Mary.
• The overall estimated cost of the 20mph speed limit project is approximately £400,000.

Data Disclosed

• 22 January 2025
• 7 February 2025
• 116
• 106
• 10
• £400,000
• £136,000

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Commercial interests)

Original Request

Dear Sir/Madam, Under the Freedom of Information Act 2015, please may you provide the following information regarding the roll-out of 20mph zones across the Isle of Man: 1. The date on which 20mph signage was purchased by the Department of Infrastructure. 2. The total number of 20mph signs purchased. 3. The overall cost incurred for the purchase of these signs. 4. A breakdown of the areas these signs are intended to cover. If available, please specify which towns, villages or regions (e.g. Douglas, Onchan, Port St Mary) the signage has been allocated to. Thanks.

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: 4530306 14 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 21 March 2025, which states:

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2015, please may you provide the following information regarding the roll-out of 20mph zones across the Isle of Man:

1. The date on which 20mph signage was purchased by the Department of Infrastructure.

2. The total number of 20mph signs purchased.

3. The overall cost incurred for the purchase of these signs.

4. A breakdown of the areas these signs are intended to cover. If available, please specify which towns, villages or regions (e.g. Douglas, Onchan, Port St Mary) the signage has been allocated to.

Thanks."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information.

1. The signage for Port St Mary was ordered on January 22, 2025, while the signage for Douglas and Onchan was ordered on February 7, 2025.
2. A total of 116 signs for the 20mph speed limit have been ordered.
3. 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 disclosure would likely prejudice the commercial interests of person (including the Department of Infrastructure). • Disclosure of the specific costs could reveal sensitive pricing structures of the supplier, which are not otherwise public.
   • Releasing this level of detail could disadvantage the vendor in future procurement exercises by exposing commercially negotiated rates to competitors.

• It could also reduce the effectiveness of future negotiations by public authorities if suppliers are aware of previous pricing arrangements As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure • Promotes transparency in the use of public funds.
• Enables public scrutiny of government expenditure.
• Enhances trust and accountability in public procurement.

Factors in favour of withholding • Protects the commercial interests and competitive position of vendors engaged in providing services to the government.
• Ensures value for money in future procurement by maintaining fair competition. • Avoids setting a precedent that could undermine future contract negotiations or discourage vendors from bidding

In taking these factors into account the Department of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

However, to assist and provide context, we can advise that the overall estimated cost of the 20mph speed limit project is approximately £400,000, of which the estimated cost allocated to Douglas and Onchan is £136,000.

1. A map layer on the government mapping website displays the planned extent of the 20mph zones. Out of the ordered signs, an estimated 106 are designated for Douglas and Onchan, and 10 are designated for Port St Mary: https://www.gov.im/news/2025/mar/13/view-map-of-proposed-20mph-zones- across-the-island/

Please quote the reference number 4530306 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.