Request ID: FOI-0139-2223 Date published: 17 May 2022
You asked
Hey there,
Just out of curiosity, I did see a two FOI requests similar to this request I’m about to send out about the London Underground Audio for all lines, If I could get a copy and if the resources for that isn’t available. Can I use my own recorded ones instead or will that be a problem? My own recorded ones are closeup audios of Sarah Parnell’s announcement on the Victoria Line but if you have the actual official audio, if it’s okay if you could send me a file or link me to a file with the audios.
Thank you.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0139-2223
Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 April 2022 asking for various announcements.
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.
Your email account has now been added to the permissions list to access the audio recordings we are permitted to release and you should now have an email with a link enabling you to access the folder, (please check your spam folder if this is not visible).
Upon opening the link you will be asked to verify your account which will generate a code to be send to your email address which is only valid for 15 minutes (you may need to check your spam folder). Once that code is entered you will have access to the relevant files which can then be downloaded. Should you encounter any difficulty with this please contact [email protected]
On train announcements for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines are included in the folder. The Northern line audio files contain historical as well as current announcements. You will note the Piccadilly line announcements are supplied as PCC files which may need specialist software to play them. This format is the only version we currently have available.
Please also note that while the Jubilee and Piccadilly announcements are recorded as full statements specifically for each station, Northern line announcements are recorded as segmented phrases joined into full sentences by the train management system (TMS).
With regards to the London Underground station announcements, and the on train announcements for the other tube lines, we are not obliged to supply these audio files as the information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2).
In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL and/or the company used to provide the recordings. The recordings in question were provided to London Underground under a signed contracts which contained explicit conditions concerning disclosure and distribution.
These contracts specify that the recordings are solely to be used for the purpose for which they were created and for broadcast on the London Underground network only. If TfL were to disclose these recordings in response to an FOI request, it would constitute an actionable breach of contract and would be likely to result in a valid legal claim against London Underground or the license to use the recordings being withdrawn, which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs. TfL wishes to protect its commercial interests and ability to participate in future commercial activity. The disclosure of this information would be to the detriment of present and future business activities for both parties.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency within public authorities and the degree of public interest concerning London transport announcements in light of the recent disclosure of iBus announcements. However, in this instance this is outweighed by the damage that would be done to TfL’s ability to use these recordings and any future contractual negotiations that may take place regarding the London Underground announcements.
Please note that access to this material will be provided to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you are not granted any rights to any of the intellectual property that exists in it or granted any permission to make secondary uses of it.
TfL owns all intellectual property (including, without limitation, copyright) in the material supplied and will defend such rights.
If you wish to make any secondary use of the material provided, you must first obtain the consent of TfL (which may be withheld) and, if consent is granted, a fee may be charged, in accordance with the terms of the Reuse of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free 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.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
