Systra to 'adjust' railways report after DoI questions draft

Consultants handed 15 suggestions after initial report

The consultant reviewing the Island's railways has been asked to clarify some of the findings from its first draft report.

An email, published in response to a Freedom of Information request, shows the Department of Infrastructure gave Systra a number of suggestions based on the draft, and questioned some of the data. 

The FOI request, from Manx Radio, asked to see all written or email communications in relation to the amending of the report to correct identified inaccuracies which may 'mislead the public'."

In the email, DOI Chief Officer Emily Curphey questions claims in the draft report that 15 per cent of visitors would reduce their stay on the Island by one night should the rail service be withdrawn.

Ms Curphey says a wider view of visitor types would be needed to back up such a claim as reason to 'substantiate' a service which costs £6.5 - £8.5 million a year.

Systra is also questioned over whether or not active travel opportunities have been taken into account when considering the closure of a section of line.

Given, it says, 'the cost on the pressures on public finances and the economy?'

A response from the consultant explains how it will 'adjust section closure narrative' in the future report to include mention of a cycle path replacement and 'be explicit that there is no assessment of the net effect of leisure spend from loss of passenger spend vs increase in cyclist spend'.

The Department of Infrastructure has been approached for comment.

It's not the first time the Systra report has been the subject of an FOI request.

In November an email exchange revealed suggestions that passenger numbers would increase if Douglas' horse tramway is reinstated along the entire length of the promenade.

You can find the full FOI response by searching the FOI database: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search

Case ID: 3542657

Title: Systra report into Heritage Railways 2023