Coal tar identified in road surface

Summary

The Department of Infrastructure responded to a request for a list of roads containing coal tar and those causing project delays by providing a summary table of 77 identified highways. The response confirmed that 43 of these locations are currently affecting surfacing programmes due to the presence of coal tar waste.

Key Facts

• Formal testing for coal tar on highways began in 2022.
• A total of 77 highways were identified as containing asphalt with coal tar levels exceeding 50mg/kg of Benzo[a]pyrene.
• 43 of the identified roads are currently causing delays or removals in Department of Infrastructure surfacing programmes.
• The list includes roads across various locations including Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, Castletown, and Laxey.
• The response was issued on 2 February 2026 following a request received on 9 January 2026.

Data Disclosed

• 77
• 43
• 50mg/kg
• 2022
• 2026-01-09
• 2026-02-03
• 5217941

Original Request

Please provide a list (and map if easily available) of roads identified as having coal tar in the surface irrespective of whether there is a current DOI scheme affected or not. And then, which of above are in the "more than 20 Department of Infrastructure (DoI) schemes across the island currently being delayed because of the ongoing issue of coal tar waste" as reported in press Nov 2025. ***

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Information Request 5217941
Summary List of Highways with Asphalt Containing Coal Tar*
Highway Name / Location Coal Tar Surfacing Programme Delay/Removal Confirmed Date Cored A5, Santon Yes 06/07/2023 Yes A7, Ballabeg Yes 20/02/2023 Yes Princes Road, Douglas Yes 20/02/2023 Yes A5, Ballasalla Yes 20/02/2023

Ham & Egg Terrace, Laxey Yes 28/03/2023

Hatfield Grove, Douglas Yes 14/11/2023 Yes Jurby Road, St Judes Yes 06/06/2023

Mona Drive, Douglas Yes 02/03/2023 Yes Mooragh Prom, Ramsey Yes 06/11/2023 Yes Santon Museum, A5, Santon Yes 07/07/2023 Yes St Catherines Drive, Douglas Yes 20/03/2023 Yes St Ninians Road, Douglas Yes 20/03/2023 Yes Tromode Road, Douglas Yes 21/07/2023 Yes Willow Terrace, Douglas Yes 14/11/2023 Yes Braaid Roundabout, Braddan Yes 24/02/2025 Yes Springfield Road, Douglas Yes 22/01/2025 Yes Springfield Avenue, Douglas Yes 08/11/2024 Yes Willaston Crescent, Douglas Yes 07/11/2024 Yes St Germans Place, Peel Yes 07/11/2024 Yes Gladstone Avenue, Ramsey Yes 12/11/2024 Yes Laxey Promenade, Laxey Yes 06/11/2024 Yes Mona Street, Douglas Yes 07/11/2024 Yes Palace View Terrace, Douglas Yes 08/11/2024 Yes Clenagh Road, Sulby Yes 12/11/2024

Bulgham, Garff Yes 25/02/2025

Derbyhaven Road, Castletown Yes 05/11/2024 Yes (one section) Ballavale Road, Santon Yes 05/11/2024

Lhergy Grawe, Laxey Yes 23/01/2025

Chibbyr Pherick Road, Lonan Yes 23/01/2025

Blue Point Road, Andreas Yes 23/01/2025

Ardonan Lane, Ramsey Yes 04/11/2024

Bayr Ny Balleira, Kirk Michael Yes 04/11/2024

Agneash Road, Agneash Yes 04/11/2024

Ballachurry Road, Port Erin Yes 02/05/2024

Ballakilpheric Road, Colby Yes 02/09/2024

Foxdale Road, Ballamodha Yes 08/05/2024

Balthane Road, Castletown Yes 22/04/2024 Yes Castletown Road, Castletown Yes 03/04/2024

Derbyhaven Road, Castletown Yes 10/04/2024

Eairy Dam, Foxdale Road
Yes 15/05/2024

Fistard Road, Port St Mary Yes 13/04/2024 Yes Greenfield Road, Douglas Yes 08/04/2024

King Edward Road Yes 10/05/2024 Yes Old Church Road, Crosby Yes 18/04/2024 Yes Highway Name / Location Coal Tar Surfacing Programme Delay/Removal Confirmed Date Cored Ramsey Road, Peel Yes 08/07/2024 Yes Stanley Road, Peel Yes 01/05/2024 Yes Watterson Lane, Douglas Yes 09/04/2024 Yes West Baldwin Road Yes 17/04/2024

Howstrake Drive, Onchan Yes 17/04/2024 Yes Ramsey Road, Laxey Yes 22/11/2024

Barrule Rd, Willaston Yes 15/03/2025 Yes Glen Road, Ballaugh Yes 18/03/2025 Yes Tower Road, Ramsey Yes 20/03/2025

Victoria Road, Castletown Yes 27/03/2025 Yes Elm Drive, Onchan Yes 19/03/2025 Yes Bride Road, Bride Yes 07/10/2025 Yes Mona Street Douglas Yes 22/01/2025 Yes Orrisdale Road, Ballasalla Yes N/A Yes Kerrow Moar, Port St Mary Yes N/A

Main Road, Baldrine Yes 25/04/2025 Yes Ballagawne Rd, Lonan Yes 18/03/2025

Ballaleigh Road, Kirk Michael Yes 15/02/2025

Ballamodda, East Baldwin Yes 13/02/2025

Glen Road, Colby Yes 06/10/2020 Yes The Level, Colby Yes 09/10/2025 Yes Glen Bank, Glen Maye Yes 06/10/2020

Kate’s Cottage, Mountain Road Yes 28/02/2025

Langness Yes 08/03/2025 Yes Lhoobs Road, Eairy Yes 05/04/2025

Little Mill Road, Onchan Yes 18/03/2025

Minorca Hill, Laxey Yes 06/10/2020

Regaby West Road, Regaby
Yes 14/10/2025

St Gerorges Crescent, Port Erin Yes 10/12/2025 Yes Station Road, Ballasalla Yes 20/02/2023

Trollaby Lane, Union Mills Yes 20/03/2025

Ballaquayle Road, Douglas Yes 04/08/2023 Yes (one section) St Judes Road, Bernahara Yes 22/04/2024 Yes

TOTALS 77 43

*(Benzo[a]pyrene level exceeds 50mg/kg)

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: 5217941 2 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 9 January 2026, which states:

"Please provide a list (and map if easily available) of roads identified as having coal tar in the surface irrespective of whether there is a current DOI scheme affected or not.

And then, which of above are in the "more than 20 Department of Infrastructure (DoI) schemes across the island currently being delayed because of the ongoing issue of coal tar waste" as reported in press Nov 2025.

***"

Our response to your request is as follows:

Attached is a summary list of highways with asphalt containing coal tar. This list has primarily developed from 2022, when formal testing for the presence of coal tar began on highways identified by the DOI for surfacing or reconstruction work. The list provides a response to both parts of the question.

Please quote the reference number 5217941 in any future communications.

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