DoI apologises for motorsport fees error

The chairman of Manx Auto Sport says the club accepts an error was made

The Department of Infrastructure has apologised after it says it published a large fee hike for road closures in error.

Fees for motorsport based road closures appeared set to rise from £275 to £3,000 under a document posted on the department's website. 

That had led to concern from the Island's motorsport community over the hike in costs and whether events would be able to absorb it. 

However, the department later said the document had been published in error and was 'intended for internal discussion and consideration only'.

A spokesperson added: "The department recognises the important role motorsport events play within the Island's sporting community and the information relating to a proposed review of road closure fees was inadvertently published online. 

"The Department of Infrastructure apologises for the error. The department is currently reviewing its fees and charges to ensure they more closely align with the actual costs incurred in administering and assessing applications for road closures.

 "This includes the time, resources and administrative effort required to process applications and manage their impact on the wider community. It is important to stress that the figures referenced formed part of an early proposal which had not been agreed and had not completed the department's approval processes."

Chairman of Manx Auto Sport Mark Ellison said that the club accepted the department's explanation that it had been published in error.

However he added: "It was an error, but somebody has produced a template, and that template shows what their plans are for the future, and and it is a bit disappointing that no consultation was made to ourselves or any other motorsport group."

Focussing on the money motorsport brings to the Island away from the TT, Mr Ellison said he hoped the issue wouldn't put off organisers of events who may struggle to afford the increased costs. 

"Although we might be able to absorb it, we have to understand why the increase is so great. What it would do and probably even has done, is put off people who have smaller events of 40 or 50, as opposed to those who have over 150 where our increase would be probably a modest £20 or £30 pounds, others would be £60, £70, £80."

Despite the concern this week, Mr Ellison said the club maintains a good relationship with partners across government and is looking forward to staging more events on the Island.