Request ID: FOI-0068-2324 Date published: 09 May 2023
You asked
Please provide the most recent and the annual Track Inspection Reports between Chalk Farm and Belsize Park for 2022.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0068-2223
Thank you for your request which we received on 6 April 2023, asking for track inspection reports.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the speed and signal information you have requested as it is subject to statutory exemptions to the right of access to information, under Section 38(1)(a) and (b) and Section 24(1) of the Act. We consider that section 24(1) applies in order to safeguard national security and section 38(1)(a) and (b) applies as disclosure would be likely to endanger the health and safety of individuals.
In this instance the exemptions have been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could assist persons wishing to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via any accessible means.
Disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’. This information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to the London Underground network. It is our concern that the release of details about the operating environment could be combined with other information already in the public domain to help plan an attack.
Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use the information for anything other than your own personal interest, the London Underground system is an attractive terrorist target for several reasons including its importance to London and the knock on effect to the nation’s economy if it is disrupted, the publicity gained from attacking an iconic transport system and the attractiveness of the system for a mass casualty attack due to its open, mass transport nature. It is also important to the functioning of London and its economy.
The use of these exemptions are subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in applying the exemption, in order to minimise risks to operational resilience, safe operation of the London Underground network, the welfare of staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
