Tim Crookall: "I've been trying my best"

Glenfaba and Peel MHK speaks to the media for the first time since his reappointment to infrastructure department

It's been a week since Chief Minister Alfred Cannan reshuffled his cabinet, sacking his treasury and infrastructure ministers and appointing two others in the respective roles. 

Alex Allinson was replaced by Chris Thomas as treasury head while Tim Crookall took over the running of the Department of Infrastructure from Michelle Haywood. 

You can find out more HERE.

For the first time since the news broke, Mr Crookall has spoken to the media about his reappointment.

The Glenfaba and Peel MHK has held the role of DOI minister twice previously in this administration. 

He also held the role of Minister without Portfolio before resigning due to conflicts regarding the North and West Area Plan and the upcoming Transport Strategy. 

'Appointment'

Mr Crookall says he was surprised because of the speed at which it all happened but is delighted to be back. 

"The speed that everything happened last Monday was a bit of a surprise to everybody, except probably the chief, but again, I am delighted to go back."

'20MPH'

While there is legislation that the department was working on in terms of enforcing 20mph speed limits across the Island, Crookall says the work has now paused. 

Officers, he says, are looking at the work and he is hoping to have an update by next week:

'Local Government Amendment Bill'

Another big issue that had residents concerned in the DOI was clause 5 to the Local Government Amendment Bill. 

The controversial clause was introduced by Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper in January 2025, who at the time said he introduced this amendment because he wanted to ensure there is 'parity' of service provision in each constituency.  

If approved, it would allow government to require local authorities to deliver services by regulation without guaranteed funding.

READ ALSO: Local authorities make last appeal against controversial local government legislation

However, the minister says while there has been a lot of reaction from the parishes on the Island, there is a lot of misunderstanding. 

Mr Crookall says previously he has had a 'fairly good relationship' with them, and he will be meeting them soon to ensure they understand the clause and from there take it forward. 

"We won't force anyone to do anything that they aren't doing or weren't doing in the first place."

'Road maintenance'

While the minister admits the roads aren't perfect, he says the department cannot keep up with everything and is urging motorists to report any damaged roads or potholes.

He adds while at one point the DOI had 250-300 staff, it's now been reduced to 80 and the department is relying on contractors. 

"We are doing our best and the guys out there on the road are doing their best. They are doing what they've been asked to do so we thank them for doing that. But if anything is not being getting done that's down to us for either not having the extra staff to do the job or for not having the materials, but we are trying to get there."

'Airport'

Addressing issues at Ronaldsway Airport, he says work is being done.

It follows a phone call, earlier this month, by Sue Scott, a former Air Traffic Controller about the safety of Ronaldsway.

On Manx Radio's Mannin Line, Sue Scott pushed former DOI minister Michelle Haywood for more details about why the airport was placed under 'special attention' by the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration in 2019.

You can read more HERE.

Mr Crookall says he has spoken to Sue and will meet her soon. 

'Liverpool Ferry Terminal'

Speaking on the mooring lines, he says he spoke with Steam Packet head Brian Thomson recently and wasn't notified about the engineering lines so believes the issue is either 'dealt with or being dealt with''. 

Addressing costing of the terminal, he says that falls on treasury. 

'Transport Strategy'

Last year, he left his Minister without Portfolio role due to issues with the transport strategy. 

Speaking on the document, Mr Crookall says safety should always come first and he believes it is aimed at the 'wrong thing'.

"In the west accidents and incidents take place and not enough is being done to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Looking ahead, Mr Crookall says there will probably be more 'Nos' this time around but speaking on his previous resignations, he says he has been trying his hardest.

"People will tell me I've done a bad job. You see what happens on social media. I try my best. We get a lot of good comments but you'll always get criticism."

He adds on his stepping down, it was because he was asked by Alfred Cannan:

'Listener questions'

Topics like the horse trams, Balthane roundabout and patient transport services were put to the minister.

He says he will look into them with his team to get them sorted 'as soon as possible'.

'Cannan administration'

Mr Crookall admits the current administration is 'at its weakest point at the moment'.

He says, even after speaking to colleagues, they are still not happy and he believes it will be 'a testing time' now until the end of February (budget month):

You can listen to the full interview here: