Request ID: FOI-0144-2223 Date published: 16 May 2022
You asked
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
i would like to ask if it is possible to get the tube announcements of the district and central line.
I would be happy to hear from you.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0144-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 April 2022 asking for District and Central line London Underground 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. However, the information is exempt from release under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (the exemption relating to prejudice of commercial interests). In this instance, the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL and/or Global Services Ltd. These recordings were provided to London Underground from Global Services Ltd under a signed contract which contained explicit conditions concerning disclosure and distribution.
The contract specifies 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would be likely to result in a valid legal claim against London Underground or the license to use the recordings being withdrawn, which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs.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. 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
In the meantime, if you would like to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
