Cost and timings of 20mph road furniture for Douglas and Onchan
| Authority | Department of Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2025-04-16 |
| Outcome | All information sent |
| Outcome date | 2025-05-13 |
| Case ID | 4595357 |
Summary
A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure for details regarding the cost and procurement of 20mph road signage for Douglas and Onchan. The authority disclosed the order date, the total estimated cost, and confirmed the use of an existing framework agreement.
Key Facts
- The order for 20mph signage and equipment for Douglas and Onchan was placed on 07/02/2025.
- The overall estimated cost allocated for the project is £136,000.
- The signage was procured through an existing framework agreement with the supplier.
- The request was received on 16 April 2025 and the outcome was confirmed on 13 May 2025.
- All requested information was released without any exemptions applied.
Data Disclosed
- 07/02/2025
- £136,000
- 16 April 2025
- 13 May 2025
- 4595357
Original Request
I am writing to request information under the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act in relation to the 20mph signage referenced in the article published by 3FM on 15 April 2024, titled 'DOI's bought 20mph signs for Onchan and Douglas - but won't reveal cost' https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/dois-bought-20mph-signs-for-onchan-and-douglas-but-wont-reveal-cost/?fbclid = IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6q-TjxpPwLgV-9m1gLIeiLOeUp5X-m9YgnhCTUuKcXtezEhgsM7cP71SKlRQ_aem_vdG-cIVYjB-0YDesIa1hwg Specifically, I would like to request the following: The date on which the Department of Infrastructure placed the order for the 20mph signage/furniture intended for Onchan and Douglas. The total cost incurred by the Department for the purchase and installation (if applicable) of this signage. If the information is held, I would be grateful if you could also clarify whether the signage was procured through an existing supplier agreement or via a separate procurement process. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information in order to process this request.
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: 4595357 12 May 2025
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 16 April 2025, which states:
"I am writing to request information under the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act in relation to the 20mph signage referenced in the article published by 3FM on 15 April 2024, titled 'DOI's bought 20mph signs for Onchan and Douglas - but won't reveal cost'
https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/dois-bought-20mph-signs-for-onchan- and-douglas-but-wont-reveal-cost/?fbclid = IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6q-TjxpPwLgV- 9m1gLIeiLOeUp5X-m9YgnhCTUuKcXtezEhgsM7cP71SKlRQ_aem_vdG-cIVYjB- 0YDesIa1hwg
Specifically, I would like to request the following:
The date on which the Department of Infrastructure placed the order for the 20mph signage/furniture intended for Onchan and Douglas.
The total cost incurred by the Department for the purchase and installation (if applicable) of this signage.
If the information is held, I would be grateful if you could also clarify whether the signage was procured through an existing supplier agreement or via a separate procurement process.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information in order to process this request."
Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.
- The signage and associated equipment for use in Douglas and Onchan was ordered on 07/02/2025.
- The overall estimated cost allocated to Douglas and Onchan is £136,000
- The signage was procured through an existing framework agreement with the supplier.
Please quote the reference number 4595357 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.
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: 4595357 13 May 2025
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 16 April 2025, which states:
"I am writing to request information under the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act in relation to the 20mph signage referenced in the article published by 3FM on 15 April 2024, titled 'DOI's bought 20mph signs for Onchan and Douglas - but won't reveal cost'
https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/dois-bought-20mph-signs-for-onchan- and-douglas-but-wont-reveal-cost/?fbclid = IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6q-TjxpPwLgV- 9m1gLIeiLOeUp5X-m9YgnhCTUuKcXtezEhgsM7cP71SKlRQ_aem_vdG-cIVYjB- 0YDesIa1hwg
Specifically, I would like to request the following:
The date on which the Department of Infrastructure placed the order for the 20mph signage/furniture intended for Onchan and Douglas.
The total cost incurred by the Department for the purchase and installation (if applicable) of this signage.
If the information is held, I would be grateful if you could also clarify whether the signage was procured through an existing supplier agreement or via a separate procurement process.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information in order to process this request."
Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information.
- The signage and associated equipment for use in Douglas and Onchan was ordered on 07/02/2025.
- 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.
- The signage was procured through an existing framework agreement with the supplier.
Please quote the reference number 4595357 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.