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DoI pays £18K fine after admitting health and safety failings

Maintains passenger and staff safety is 'highest priority'

Ensuring the safety of passengers and staff on the Manx Electric Railway remains the ‘highest priority’.

That’s the pledge from the Department of Infrastructure which has confirmed it’s paid an £18,000 fine after admitting health and safety failings.

The department says it welcomes the matter being brought to resolution at Douglas Courthouse last month.

It had previously accepted two offences of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of its employees and passengers between 12 April 2017 and 17 July 2021.

The court heard the DoI had failed to provide adequate maintenance procedures in respect of the wheels and tyres of tramcars operating on the MER network.

On 17 July 2021 a tram derailed, near Lewaigue, with a passenger suffering a broken leg as a result.

The DoI was ordered by the Deputy High Bailiff to pay the fine, and prosecution costs of £250, by 3 March; the maximum sentence which could have been imposed was £20,000.

The department has told Manx Radio it has acknowledged the court’s decision adding: "The department wishes to reassure the public that a comprehensive review was quickly undertaken into the maintenance procedures on the Manx Electric Railway following the incident, leading to improvements made at the time to existing processes as well as additional training for staff.

"The safety of our staff, passengers and the public remains the highest priority for the department.”

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