Why has the short pier by Peel Castle been closed for over a year?

Summary

The requester asked for the rationale and documentation behind the closure of the short pier by Peel Castle, which the Department of Infrastructure attributed to subsidence damage and safety concerns regarding heavy vehicle parking. The authority disclosed that no formal risk assessment or closure order was issued as the decision was made mutually on-site, and confirmed that repair designs are complete while awaiting funding.

Key Facts

• The Castle Jetty was closed due to subsidence damage and a large crack at the end of the structure.
• Closure was mutually agreed between the Harbours and Highway Services divisions to prevent heavy vehicles and public access.
• No written risk assessment was undertaken as the decision was made on-site.
• No formal closure order or Notice to Mariners was issued.
• Repair designs have been finalized, and a business case is being prepared to seek capital funding from the Treasury.

Data Disclosed

• 4775245
• 2025-07-03
• 2025-08-04
• 1 August 2025
• 3 July 2025
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785
• dpo-doi@gov.im
• https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review
• www.inforights.im
• www.gov.im/foi

Original Request

Why has the short pier by Peel Castle been closed for over a year? A small DOI Harbours sign says 'Closed for Public Safety' but it looks perfectly safe to me. Nothing has changed other than the addition of ugly fencing. Please send me a copy of the:  Relevant Risk Assessment requiring this closure The Road or Pier Closure Notice or Order The relevant Notice to Mariners highlighting the unavailability of this pier The correspondence directing the Harbour Master to close this pier, including which officer made this decision and when. If not included in the above, the rationale for this closure and any updates on making it 'safe' again. Thank you.

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: 4775245 1 August 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 3 July 2025, which states:

"Why has the short pier by Peel Castle been closed for over a year?

A small DOI Harbours sign says 'Closed for Public Safety' but it looks perfectly safe to me. Nothing has changed other than the addition of ugly fencing.

Please send me a copy of the:

Relevant Risk Assessment requiring this closure

The Road or Pier Closure Notice or Order

The relevant Notice to Mariners highlighting the unavailability of this pier

The correspondence directing the Harbour Master to close this pier, including which officer made this decision and when.

If not included in the above, the rationale for this closure and any updates on making it 'safe' again.

Thank you."

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

1. The Castle Jetty has been closed due to subsidence damage to the end of the jetty. A large crack has appeared at the end of the jetty. The Highway Service Division of the DOI have now finalised the designs and are in the process of seeking capital funding from the Treasury to repair the pier.
   Concerns were raised that heavy vehicles and plant were being parked on the Jetty. Potentially worsening the damage. Closure was agreed between Highways and the Harbours Divisions for public safety until repairs have been completed.

2. Although the Jetty appears safe, damage is visible from the water. The Jetty was inspected by Highways Services and deemed it unsafe for public access.
   Herras Fencing was installed to prevent parking and public access.

3. No written risk assessment was undertaken as the decision was agreed on site between Harbours and Highway Services

4. No formal order was issued. Closure was mutually agreed between Harbours and Highways Divisions based on public safety concerns.

5. No Notice to Mariners required as navigation lighthouse on the Jetty is not affected.

6. None

7. The design for repairs has been completed and Highway Services are now working on a business case to enable funding for the scheme to be procured.

Please quote the reference number 4775245 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.