Promenade - Megathread

[yootalkin2me 917]

44 minutes ago, Numbnuts said:

I've heard some unbelievable stories about Jeff Robinson . Apparently another arrogant piece of work who feels turning up to management meetings is seemingly beyond him. Has also a perchance of falling asleep in ones he does go to . And yes my source is very credible .   

I know Jeff personally and I have to say that your 'credible source' couldn't be more wrong. Jeff is a good person and is extremely good at what he does.

[Numbnuts 1,606]

8 minutes ago, yootalkin2me said:

I know Jeff personally and I have to say that your 'credible source' couldn't be more wrong. Jeff is a good person and is extremely good at what he does.

Well he might be a nice guy socially but clearly theres issues at work ! Title is director of highways ! Buck stops there I'd say ! 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Numbnuts

[Andy Onchan 4,866]

11 hours ago, Nellie said:

It also emerged, in the same committee sitting that the CEO, Nick Black, was not aware that the track layout at The Esplanade has been significantly changed from what they have planning permission for. This is despite the fact it was reported by IOM Newpapers already. 

You couldn’t make this stuff up.....

But they do..... they're masters at it.

[yootalkin2me 917]

Just now, Numbnuts said:

Well he might be a nice guy socially but clearly theres issues at work !

Not necessarily, in public service it's extremely complex in certain arenas. You have many different aspects coming at you, or that you need to deal with, the public, businesses, politicians, colleagues, economies of scale, resources, managing expectations etc etc and you have to be as accomodating and as pragmatic as you can to do the best you can... it most certainly isn't merely black or white...and to be honest the system in place can often work against you despite your best efforts.

[Numbnuts 1,606]

1 hour ago, yootalkin2me said:

Not necessarily, in public service it's extremely complex in certain arenas. You have many different aspects coming at you, or that you need to deal with, the public, businesses, politicians, colleagues, economies of scale, resources, managing expectations etc etc and you have to be as accomodating and as pragmatic as you can to do the best you can... it most certainly isn't merely black or white...and to be honest the system in place can often work against you despite your best efforts.

No I agree with most of what you say but clearly in every aspect of the points youve made above he and the DOI management, designers and CEO have totally failed at every turn. They now have zero credibility , not that they had much anyway , and they still cant give a final date for finish of prom and they are already going to be alot more than 6 months and likely to be over 1 year late by the time its finished . 

Edited November 6, 2020 by Numbnuts

[TheTeapot 11,595]

3 hours ago, Numbnuts said:

I've heard some unbelievable stories about Jeff Robinson . 

I heard he likes weak, sugared and very milky tea. Appalling.

[Two-lane 307]

2 hours ago, yootalkin2me said:

.and to be honest the system in place can often work against you despite your best efforts.

Who put "the system" in place? Is this a result of human action, or something that simply exists?

[NoTailT 375]

DOI having to cover the cost of Claremont's xmas lights being put up because it's having to be done out of hours. Also having to temporarily tarmac the road at DOI expense for the hoist to get in.

[yootalkin2me 917]

1 hour ago, Two-lane said:

Who put "the system" in place? Is this a result of human action, or something that simply exists?

God...Be'elzeebub...aliens...humans...who knows?

[hissingsid 3,675]

It was always going to be a mighty job because of god knows what the Victorians buried below the surface when they constructed the promenade.  .Gas mains have always been a problem, no one knew exactly where the old ones were, remember Howard Street years ago when there was a very large hole on the pavement for about two years with a do not smoke sign, the they could not locate the old gas pipes.   The only thing the Minister has got wrong is being ambitious with the completion date a seasoned politician would never have committed themselves in this way.   Tim Baker came to the party after the food had been served it has been a disaster from the start.   Three construction firms with little cooperation .  changed plans, the saga continues and will do for a long time yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andy Onchan 4,866]

22 hours ago, Numbnuts said:

..........and they still cant give a final date for finish of prom and they are already going to be alot more than 6 months and likely to be over 1 year late by the time its finished . 

And substantially over budget.

Speaking of budgets......... does anyone know if there is a publicly available QS bill of materials available and project costings for inspection for the various stages of the project? If not I might be submitting a FOI.

I'm told that the cluster-feck that is the bottom of Broadway was/has been known before the project began. In which case you have to wonder why DOI didn't arrange for test pits/holes to be dug to determine the extent of the problem before digging up the whole prom. Similarly, the bottom of Church Rd Marina.

[Andy Onchan 4,866]

20 hours ago, NoTailT said:

DOI having to cover the cost of Claremont's xmas lights being put up because it's having to be done out of hours. Also having to temporarily tarmac the road at DOI expense for the hoist to get in.

You mean taxpayer's expense.... the DOI only exists courtesy of the taxpayer..... unfortunately. 

[quilp 11,347]

43 minutes ago, Andy Onchan said:

Speaking of budgets......... does anyone know if there is a publicly available QS bill of materials available and project costings for inspection for the various stages of the project? If not I might be submitting a FOI.

Pound to a penny the response to your request would be "commercially confidential." There is no accountability, little oversight and a very fluid budget that every taxpayer is expected to contribute without question...

[Shake me up Judy 5,588]

Baker sounded beaten this week in the face of Robertshaw's questions; like a guilty schoolboy in the headmaster's office, who knows the game is up. He thought he could get a grip of the DOI but he over-estimated his power and ability to influence anything.

[Numbnuts 1,606]

1 hour ago, Andy Onchan said:

And substantially over budget.

Speaking of budgets......... does anyone know if there is a publicly available QS bill of materials available and project costings for inspection for the various stages of the project? If not I might be submitting a FOI.

I'm told that the cluster-feck that is the bottom of Broadway was/has been known before the project began. In which case you have to wonder why DOI didn't arrange for test pits/holes to be dug to determine the extent of the problem before digging up the whole prom. Similarly, the bottom of Church Rd Marina.

Have it on good authority , a ex member of Tynwald , that the costings for the contract had a very high figure for unknowns in it . Black is already on record saying they will need more for the second stage they wete going to return to next September but thats in doubt now. They have also had a figure ,approx 750,000 k already granted by Tynwald a few months ago .