Horse Tram Risk Assessment

Summary

A request was made for risk assessments and correspondence regarding horse trams on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway, specifically concerning conflicts with oncoming traffic. The Department of Infrastructure released some internal emails and risk assessment criteria, noting that the risk of oncoming vehicles was considered and mitigated through horse selection and training.

Key Facts

• The request focused on risks of horse-drawn vehicles running in conflict with oncoming traffic on a single line.
• An Inspector of Health and Safety raised concerns in May 2019 about vehicles overtaking and potentially spooking horses.
• The Department of Infrastructure confirmed the risk was considered and stated horses were selected for their confidence in traffic.
• Horses received training on the track prior to passenger service to adapt to conditions.
• Risk assessment criteria included surface conditions, turning facilities, adjacent activity, and horse suitability.

Data Disclosed

• 2019-05-27
• 2019-06-12
• 14 February 2019
• 03 April 2019
• 28 May 2019
• 19 pages
• 4 documents
• 17A Victoria Street
• IM1 2LW
• 059958C
• IM4 3AS
• 01624 685881

Original Request

Dear Sir/Madam, I wish to request a copy of the risk assessment and any internal correspondence in relation to horse trams on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway running between Derby Castle and Promenade T-Shirts using the seaside track only. In particular I would like details of the assessed risks of having a horse-drawn vehicle running in direct conflict to/against on-coming traffic.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Page 7 of 8

Additional Comments:

1. Surface conditions: Are they paved, loose, slippery or with tripping hazards, how will the horses and operators cope?

2. Turning facilities: Where will the horses turn at the end of each trip? Is there suitable space? Workmen, fences, obstructions to negotiate?

3. Adjacent activity: What operations will be taking place alongside the tramway during services? A distraction to horses could be significant in this regard. - Advise contractors.

4. Do pedestrians and other vehicles have access to the route being used? Will the tramcar be interacting with other traffic?

5. Suitability of Horses: Is the individual horse, temperament known and understood, matched to the capabilities of the driver. Has the disposition of the particular horses been considered? Will they stand still?

6. What is the experience of the horses in such conditions?

From: To: Cc: Subject: horse tram details Date: 14 February 2019 14:32:58 Hi Do you have any dimensional details of the horse trams showing height and offsets of running boards and seating level? Kind regards Associate | Project Manager BURROUGHS STEWART ASSOCIATES Telephone: Fax: Website: www.bsa.co.im Email: Registered Office: 17A Victoria Street, DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, IM1 2LW Registration No: 059958C Associated Offices: Cardiff 'Burroughs Stewart Associates' is the Trading Name of Burroughs Stewart Associates Ltd The contents of this email (including attachments) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of its contents is strictly prohibited, and you should please notify the sender immediately and then delete it (including any attachments) from your system. THINK SUSTAINABILITY: Do you really need to print this email From: To: Cc: Subject: RE: horse tram details Date: 14 February 2019 15:10:50 Attachments: Douglas Horse Tram - Vehicle Dimensions.pdf From: Sent: 14 February 2019 14:33 To: Cc: Subject: horse tram details Hi Do you have any dimensional details of the horse trams showing height and offsets of running boards and seating level? Kind regards Associate | Project Manager BURROUGHS STEWART ASSOCIATES Telephone: Fax: Website: www.bsa.co.im Email: Registered Office: 17A Victoria Street, DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, IM1 2LW Registration No: 059958C Associated Offices: Cardiff 'Burroughs Stewart Associates' is the Trading Name of Burroughs Stewart Associates Ltd The contents of this email (including attachments) are confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of its contents is strictly prohibited, and you should please notify the sender immediately and then delete it (including any attachments) from your system. THINK SUSTAINABILITY: Do you really need to print this email From: To: Cc: Subject: Horse tram design Date: 03 April 2019 16:16:53 Just to confirm - The proposed asphalt/cement/asphalt with asphalt between the two tram tracks is acceptable. Thanks From: To: Cc: Subject: Horse Trams Date: 28 May 2019 17:58:32 Hi We have received a complaint from member of the public who has raised concerns regarding the single line operation of the horse tram. If you are not the correct person to speak to please let me know. The concern is that due to the single line operation, on the seaward line, if any car /wagon has need to overtake a vehicle that may be stood in the carriageway they may be overtaking and not know whether the horse trams are travelling towards them or away from them. Previous years operations would have meant that the horse trams were moving in the same direction as the vehicles and the horses would not have seen them as they were behind the tram. The member of the public was concerned about the welfare of the horses as they may not be used to having a vehicle travelling towards them and possibly turning back in within a few metres of the horse, possibly spooking them. Do you know whether this increased risk of an oncoming vehicle collision was taken into account when deciding to operate the horse trams on a single carriageway? And do operational procedures include additional measures to reflect this increased risk? Regards Inspector of Health and Safety Regulation Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns Isle of Man IM4 3AS Direct Tel: General enq: 01624 685881 Mob: email P Please do not print this email unless it is necessary From: To: Cc: Subject: RE: Horse Trams Date: 28 May 2019 18:16:04 HI It was considered. We have carefully selected the horses to be used on the DBHT this year for their confidence in traffic. The horses have also been receiving training on the track prior to passenger service and seem to have adapted well. Kind regards From: Sent: 28 May 2019 17:59 To: Cc: Subject: Horse Trams Hi We have received a complaint from member of the public who has raised concerns regarding the single line operation of the horse tram. If you are not the correct person to speak to please let me know. The concern is that due to the single line operation, on the seaward line, if any car /wagon has need to overtake a vehicle that may be stood in the carriageway they may be overtaking and not know whether the horse trams are travelling towards them or away from them. Previous years operations would have meant that the horse trams were moving in the same direction as the vehicles and the horses would not have seen them as they were behind the tram. The member of the public was concerned about the welfare of the horses as they may not be used to having a vehicle travelling towards them and possibly turning back in within a few metres of the horse, possibly spooking them. Do you know whether this increased risk of an oncoming vehicle collision was taken into account when deciding to operate the horse trams on a single carriageway? And do operational procedures include additional measures to reflect this increased risk? Regards Inspector of Health and Safety Regulation Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns Isle of Man IM4 3AS Direct Tel: General enq: 01624 685881 Mob: email: P Please do not print this email unless it is necessary From: To: Subject: FW: Horse Trams Date: 28 May 2019 18:22:08 FYI From: Sent: 28 May 2019 18:16 To: Cc: Subject: RE: Horse Trams HI It was considered. We have carefully selected the horses to be used on the DBHT this year for their confidence in traffic. The horses have also been receiving training on the track prior to passenger service and seem to have adapted well. Kind regards From: Sent: 28 May 2019 17:59 To: Cc: Subject: Horse Trams Hi We have received a complaint from member of the public who has raised concerns regarding the single line operation of the horse tram. If you are not the correct person to speak to please let me know. The concern is that due to the single line operation, on the seaward line, if any car /wagon has need to overtake a vehicle that may be stood in the carriageway they may be overtaking and not know whether the horse trams are travelling towards them or away from them. Previous years operations would have meant that the horse trams were moving in the same direction as the vehicles and the horses would not have seen them as they were behind the tram. The member of the public was concerned about the welfare of the horses as they may not be used to having a vehicle travelling towards them and possibly turning back in within a few metres of the horse, possibly spooking them. Do you know whether this increased risk of an oncoming vehicle collision was taken into account when deciding to operate the horse trams on a single carriageway? And do operational procedures include additional measures to reflect this increased risk? Regards Inspector of Health and Safety Regulation Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns Isle of Man IM4 3AS Direct Tel: General enq: 01624 685881 Mob: email: P Please do not print this email unless it is necessary

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: 840265 11 June 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 May 2019 which states:

"Dear Sir/Madam, I wish to request a copy of the risk assessment and any internal correspondence in relation to horse trams on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway running between Derby Castle and Promenade T-Shirts using the seaside track only. In particular I would like details of the assessed risks of having a horse-drawn vehicle running in direct conflict to/against on-coming traffic."

We enclose a copy of the “risk assessment” (Appendix 1) and copies of “internal correspondence” (Appendix 2) that were completed in relation to the use of horse trams on the shorter route. The information we have provided has, had personal data redacted to comply with Section 25:2 (a & b) of the Freedom of Information Act (2015). Please quote the reference number 840265 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

1. 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 us in the FOI Response Team. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. We will close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team

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: 840265 12 June 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 27 May 2019 and which states:

"I wish to request a copy of the risk assessment and any internal correspondence in relation to horse trams on the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway running between Derby Castle and Promenade T-Shirts using the seaside track only. In particular I would like details of the assessed risks of having a horse-drawn vehicle running in direct conflict to/against on-coming traffic."

We enclose a copy of the ‘risk assessment’ (Appendix 1) and copies of ‘internal correspondence’ (Appendix 2) that were completed in relation to the use of horse trams on the shorter route.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we have redacted the names of Officers because they are absolutely exempt under section 25 of the Act (absolutely exempt personal information). The reasons why that exemption applies are that: • The Department of Infrastructure is satisfied that the information amounts to personal data of which you are not the data subject; and • The Department of Infrastructure is satisfied that disclosure of the information would contravene one of the data protection principles as set out at Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation as it applies in the Isle of Man pursuant to the Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018, namely that the Department of Infrastructure can only disclose the information where it would be fair, lawful and meet one of the conditions for lawful processing in Article 6 and in this case, none of those conditions have been met. Please quote the reference number 840265 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.

Yours sincerely

FOI Response Team Enc