Waste Tyres, Watercourse Obstruction and DOI Responsibilities

Authority	Department of Infrastructure
Date received	2026-01-20
Outcome	Some information sent but not all held
Outcome date	2026-02-16
Case ID	5242422

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Infrastructure regarding its responsibilities for waste tyre disposal and watercourse obstruction, as well as related contracts and complaints. The authority responded that while some information was provided, they do not hold or could not find specific details regarding internal guidance, policy frameworks, and complaint records.

Key Facts

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) does not hold or could not find all requested information after taking reasonable steps.
The request covered DOI's responsibilities for waste tyre handling, storage, transport, and disposal.
The request sought clarification on the division of responsibilities between DOI, DEFA, and local authorities.
The request asked for details on facilities for tyre disposal and any contracts with private companies.
The request inquired about DOI's role in investigating watercourse obstructions caused by waste materials.

Data Disclosed

2026-01-20
2026-02-16
5242422
4
1
2015
5 years

Original Request

Subject: Freedom of Information Request - Waste Tyres, Watercourse Obstruction and DOI Responsibilities Dear FOI Officer, I am submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 regarding the Department of Infrastructure's responsibilities in relation to waste tyres, watercourse management and waste disposal on the Isle of Man. I would be grateful if you could confirm DOI's specific responsibilities in relation to the handling, storage, transport and disposal of waste tyres. I would also appreciate clarification on how these responsibilities are divided between DOI, DEFA and local authorities. If any internal guidance, policy documents or frameworks exist that outline these responsibilities, I would be grateful for copies or summaries. I would also like to understand what facilities or approved methods currently exist for the disposal, storage, recycling or export of waste tyres from the Isle of Man. Please confirm whether DOI has any contracts or agreements with private companies for the removal, storage, processing or export of tyres, and provide details of any such arrangements. In addition, I would appreciate information on DOI's responsibilities regarding watercourses, mill races, culverts and drainage infrastructure, particularly where these may be obstructed by waste materials such as tyres. Please confirm whether DOI has any role in investigating or addressing obstructions to water flow caused by deposited waste, and whether any guidance or enforcement powers apply in such circumstances. I would also be grateful if you could confirm whether DOI has received any reports, complaints or enquiries in the last five years relating to tyre disposal, watercourse obstruction or similar issues, and whether any action was taken in response. Finally, please confirm whether there are any current or upcoming policy reviews, consultations or legislative changes relating to waste tyres, watercourse management or wider waste disposal infrastructure. I would prefer to receive the information electronically via email. If any part of this request requires clarification, please let me know. If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon. Thank you for your assistance. Yours sincerely,

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: 5242422 12 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 20 January 2026, which states:

"Subject: Freedom of Information Request - Waste Tyres, Watercourse Obstruction and DOI Responsibilities

Dear FOI Officer,

I am submitting a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2015 regarding the Department of Infrastructure's responsibilities in relation to waste tyres, watercourse management and waste disposal on the Isle of Man.

I would be grateful if you could confirm DOI's specific responsibilities in relation to the handling, storage, transport and disposal of waste tyres. I would also appreciate clarification on how these responsibilities are divided between DOI, DEFA and local authorities. If any internal guidance, policy documents or frameworks exist that outline these responsibilities, I would be grateful for copies or summaries.

I would also like to understand what facilities or approved methods currently exist for the disposal, storage, recycling or export of waste tyres from the Isle of Man. Please confirm whether DOI has any contracts or agreements with private companies for the removal, storage, processing or export of tyres, and provide details of any such arrangements.

In addition, I would appreciate information on DOI's responsibilities regarding watercourses, mill races, culverts and drainage infrastructure, particularly where these may be obstructed by waste materials such as tyres. Please confirm whether DOI has any role in investigating or addressing obstructions to water flow caused by deposited waste, and whether any guidance or enforcement powers apply in such circumstances.

I would also be grateful if you could confirm whether DOI has received any reports, complaints or enquiries in the last five years relating to tyre disposal, watercourse obstruction or similar issues, and whether any action was taken in response.

Finally, please confirm whether there are any current or upcoming policy reviews, consultations or legislative changes relating to waste tyres, watercourse management or wider waste disposal infrastructure.

I would prefer to receive the information electronically via email. If any part of this request requires clarification, please let me know. If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours sincerely," While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. I would be grateful if you could confirm DOI's specific responsibilities in relation to the handling, storage, transport and disposal of waste tyres. I would also appreciate clarification on how these responsibilities are divided between DOI, DEFA and local authorities. If any internal guidance, policy documents or frameworks exist that outline these responsibilities, I would be grateful for copies or summaries.

The Department has no specific responsibilities in relation to handling, storage or transport of tyres under the Public Health Act 1990. The DOI's Energy from Waste Plant is used for the disposal of waste tyres. Their waste acceptance criteria can be found here, SUEZ Isle of Man waste acceptance criteria - 22 11 - 4, and specifies their acceptance requirements for waste tyres.

The Department has no facilities or methods that exist for the storage, recycling or export of tyres. Waste tyres are disposed of at the Energy from Waste Plant, a DOI facility as outlined above. The Department has no contracts or arrangements for removal, storage, processing or export of tyres; however we have Energy from Waste Plant customers that pay a gate fee to dispose of their tyres.

The Department administers the Flood Risk Management Act 2013 ('the Act') and has a general supervisory duty in relation to flood risk. Designated watercourses are the responsibility of DOI in relation to flood risk management, and the responsibility of land owners for other purposes https://iomfloodhub.im/guidance/watercourse- management/. Non-designated watercourses are the responsibility of the land owners for all purposes as described in our published watercourse management guidance: https://iomfloodhub.im/media/1124/watercourse-management-iom-doi.pdf

Regarding obstructions within watercourses, the role of the Department depends on the circumstances. DOI has permissive powers under the Act to take a variety of works and enforcement actions. On receiving a report of an obstruction to a watercourse, the Departments Flood Management division will initially request further information or undertake a site visit to understand the potential flood risk.

For obstructions on a designated watercourse that are a flood risk, the Department
may organise for the obstruction to be removed. For obstructions not considered a serious flood risk, we write to the riparian landowners to advise of the obstruction and recommended action.

For non-designated watercourses, powers under the Act are limited to serious flood risk; an obstruction would need to meet the criteria for the Department to undertake any further action. Where not serious, if appropriate we write to the riparian landowners to advise of the obstruction and recommended action. If waste materials are within a watercourse this matter may also be raised with DEFA Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), local authorities or the Police depending on the scale and circumstances.

Over the past five years, the Department has received two enquiries. One of these related to whether a licence was required for the removal and disposal of old tyres. The Department’s response was as follows: “The licencing for the removal and disposal of waste is legislated by the Environmental Protection Unit of DEFA.

Information regarding waste removal and disposal can be found on the EPU website linked below or by directly contacting at environmentalprotection@gov.im. https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/departments/environment-food-and- agriculture/environment-directorate/environmental-protection-unit/waste- regulation/waste-disposal-licences/”

The second enquiry was in regard to tyres potentially being a watercourse obstruction. Guidance was provided and no further action was taken as it was not deemed a serious flood risk.

The Department has consulted on the principles of the Waste Strategy, which discussed waste disposal infrastructure. Flood Risk Managements guidance in relation to watercourse management is currently under review and there are no planned changes to legislation.

For further information, you may wish to contact DEFA, who may be able to help you.

Please quote the reference number 5242422 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.