Freedom of Information request - Maps of public corridors on larger Tube stations
Request ID: FOI-0094-2324 Date published: 09 May 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
In 2015, the following request was made:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/maps_of_public_corridors_on_larg
Since then, several new stations have opened, including the Elizabeth Line stations. For any stations not covered in the 2015 request, would you be able to provide maps that show all public entrances/exits and corridors in your stations (London Underground, London Overground, the Elizabeth Line, the Docklands Light Railway)? As with this 2015 request, this would be a map showing platforms, entrances/exits and every way passengers can use under normal conditions to make their way out of the station or to a different line.
I very much appreciate the open data provided at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/. However, it does not include the requested information.
The intention behind this request is to improve accessibility for travellers with reduced mobility, reduced vision, or other access requirements.
I look forward to hearing from you!
We answered
TfL Ref: 0094-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 April 2023 asking for information about maps that show all public entrances/exits and corridors in TfL stations.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked about the following:
Since then, several new stations have opened, including the Elizabeth Line stations. For any stations not covered in the 2015 request, would you be able to provide maps that show all public entrances/exits and corridors in your stations (London Underground, London Overground, the Elizabeth Line, the Docklands Light Railway)? As with this 2015 request, this would be a map showing platforms, entrances/exits and every way passengers can use under normal conditions to make their way out of the station or to a different line.
The intention behind this request is to improve accessibility for travellers with reduced mobility, reduced vision, or other access requirements.
I look forward to hearing from you!
We would like to advise that Transport for London publishes a comprehensive range of accessibility maps, guides, tools and transport services to assist those with reduced mobility, reduced vision and hearing loss - for example. Please refer to the following link to our website to access the full range available at: https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/
In terms of the FOI Request referenced above, asking for ‘maps that show all public entrances/exits and corridors in Tube interchange stations’, only in instances where significant changes have occurred to a station’s layout, would the diagrams for these locations be updated accordingly. With this in mind, please find attached the most recent map edition of the upgraded interchange at Bank/Monument station. Additionally, an axonometric map for Whitechapel Station, plus the new stations at Battersea and Nine Elms are included in the attached zip file.
Diagrams for the Docklands Light Railway network are also provided. Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), some personal data has been removed from these maps, as required by section 40 of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of the GDPR, which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’. This exemption to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption
Maps of the DLR do not include interchange stations where the ownership is managed by a separate network line, such as those listed below:
Bank Custom House Canning Town Stratford West Ham
Again, only in instances where significant changes have occurred to a station’s layout, would the diagrams for these locations be updated accordingly, such as the attached PDF for Bank/Monument station.
Other redactions have been made to the DLR maps, as the detail concerned is exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the Freedom of Information Act. The exemptions apply because the requested material would be of use to any persons wishing to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via other means. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under FOI is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. As you will no doubt be aware, the transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. The information requested features sensitive information, which could be of use for anyone seeking to research or plan for such an attack or to actively cause disruption to the network.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously issued a Decision Notice regarding the application of sections 24 and 38 to withhold information in relation to the security of public transport. Whilst the information requested in this case is different to the information you have requested, we believe the same arguments can be applied:
The use of the section 24 and 38 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, and acknowledge that there may be some interest in the information in question - as evidenced by the fact that you have requested it. However, as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to London’s transport infrastructure, in this instance we believe that minimising the risk to that infrastructure and protecting the safety and welfare of members of the general public and our staff outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure. These exemption also apply to maps of the Elizabeth line network, which have also been withheld from disclosure on this basis.
As for London Overground services, our concession holder, which manages this line on our behalf, produces 2D floor plans from digital imagery company Matterport, which costs £13 per station.
However, in instances where a London Overground station is managed by a National Rail train operating company, maps featuring the station’s layout can be found via the latter’s website, such as that for Barking Riverside published here: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/309951.aspx
In the meantime, diagrams for Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations are currently being developed into a suitable format for public disclosure but should be ready in the next few weeks. We invite you to contact us again during this time.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
