MERS Comment: Surprisingly (or perhaps not!), the 'Department's Plan' fails to mention that the comprehensive review undertaken by consultants Systra last year, revealed that the Island's priceless Heritage Railways contribute £17m to the Manx economy per annum.
“The infrastructure minister warns there are challenging times ahead and services will be changing as his Department Plan for 2024-25 is published.
Dim Crookall says his department faces an 'incredibly hard' period as a number of losses are recorded from the 23-24 financial year.
Finances
Of those public-facing services recording losses in the last financial year, Government Public Estates and Housing recorded the greatest loss of £28,658,000.
The division received £14,495,000 in income, whilst expenditure was at £43,154,000.
Bus Vannin recorded a loss of just under £7million. The public transport provider marked an income of £5,210,000 and an expenditure of £12,195,000, creating an overall loss of £6,985,000.
Ronaldsway Airport marked an income of £4,613,000 and an expenditure of £13,472,000 resulting in an £8,859,000 loss.
The Heritage Rail network brought in £2.2million over the year, but £5.7million was spent on it in return, resulting in a loss just shy of £3.5million
The areas bringing in money to the department; Vehicle and Driver Licensing and Administration brought home £15,973,000, and Harbours brought in £2.377million.
Achievements
The Department Plan also highlights some of the work accomplished over the past year, including: the opening of the new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool and 'record amounts' of road resurfacing carried out around the Island.
The ferry terminal in Liverpool opened in June 2024 following many delays and the overall cost of the capital project still isn't known (though estimates place it in the region of £70-£80million).
It also notes the work to upgrade and extend the King Edward VIII Pier in Douglas Harbour to accommodate the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new vessel Manxman.
Words of Warning
In his foreword, the minister says: "The next few years are going to be equally challenging as the Island starts to recover from a series of worldwide financial shocks and rebalances its budget.
"It is against this challenging context that we set this annual plan. You will see that it is focused on reshaping the Department to better meet the challenges ahead. Services will have to change; the organisation will have to adapt, and expectations of the Department will need to be managed.
"There is no doubt that this will be an incredibly hard period for the Department, and it is accepted that this plan underplays the difficulties ahead, but it is also important to me personally that we do this in a fair and transparent way.
"The Department has had great success over the past 12 months, and this is because of its hardworking and dedicated people who strive to achieve the best outcomes on behalf of the Manx public. I know that they will continue to rise to the challenges ahead."
The Year Ahead
Amongst its priorities and targets for the year, it cites a plan to create a housing association, develop a transport strategy, and review the Sea Services with the Steam Packet Company.
It also aims to create an Airport Non-Executive Board to work on a long-term policy framework, strategy and investment plan to consider a new operating model for Ronaldsway.
You can find the Department of Infrastructure's 2024-25 Department Plan HERE.
Manx Radio has invited the infrastructure minister for an interview on this matter.”
MERS COMMENT: Surprisingly (or perhaps not!), the 'Department's Plan' fails to mention that the comprehensive review undertaken by consultants Systra last year, revealed that the Island's priceless Heritage Railways contribute £17m to the Manx economy per annum