Hi Please could you provide a copy of the pedestrian modelling report for Ealing to demonstrate the anticipated increase in pedestrian numbers following the opening of Crossrail? Thanks

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TfL Ref: FOI-0244-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23^rd April 2019 asking for a copy of “the pedestrian modelling report for Ealing” in relation to the opening of Crossrail.

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, so far as it relates to the pedestrian modelling for Ealing Broadway station, not Ealing as a wider urban realm (if this is what your request relates to, I would suggest you contact the London Borough of Ealing to see what information it holds in that regard – FOI contact details for the Council can be found here: https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201069/freedom_of_information).

The report in question that TfL holds  is exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the FOI Act. This decision has been taken after consultation with Network Rail (that commissioned the report in question) and TfL’s Network Security and Policing Manager.

In this instance the exemptions have been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could assist 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. The current threat level in the UK remains severe, and as you will be aware the transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. The detail provided in the report (including maps and diagrams of the station, and models of the flow of passengers through it at different parts of the day) would be of use for anyone seeking to research or plan for a terrorist attack. Provision of this information under FOI would reduce the opportunity for intervention as suspicious behaviour is more likely to be detected and apprehended if an individual cannot access such information without instead having to physically visit a site.

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 security at transport hubs. Whilst the information requested in this case is different to the information you have requested we believe the same arguments can be applied:

https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2017/2013536/fs50633090.pdf

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 is some public interest in the information in question. However, disclosure of this information under FOI has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’ rather than to the individual applicant. 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 public interest in disclosure.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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