a) who is responsible at tfl and has authorised the above mentioned measures? b) what were the exact instructions that have been passed on the contractor? c) who is (i.e. the name of) the contractor who has carried out the measure? d) what are the total costs accumulated by this measure? I would also like to add that we would like to see the wording of the method statement as provided by the contractor and approved by the mayor of London and/or TFL.

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Our Ref:         FOI-0297-2021

Thank you for your requests received on 22 May and 1 June 2020 asking for information about the tree and shrub removal along the Tube tracks in the Wimbledon Park/Southfield area.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.

Over many years, Engineering Standards have been designed and implemented By London Underground to control the maintenance of the railway infrastructure. These standards are under periodic review and are controlled by Transport for London (TfL).

The Standard relating to vegetation control on trackside land is titled Landscaping and Vegetation, which was last reviewed in 2017. There is a separate standard for vegetation growing in the track.

The Standards are categorised as mandatory, therefore adherence to them is deemed safety critical.

There are significant operational issues that result from tree leaves being shed onto the track.  Leaves are drawn in between the wheels and rails of passing trains.  There is a very narrow area metal to metal contact between the train wheels and the crown of the rail.  When there is plant material on the rails, the first train to pass over them crushes the leaves releasing a paste of plant material and chlorophyll.  The paste acts as a lubricant between the rail and the train wheels which prevents rail adhesion. 

The fence, cable and cess strips need to be kept clear of vegetation so that staff can access all areas of the track and trackside land without encumbrance.  It should be noted that on London Underground, specialised training is needed for staff to go with two metres of any rail on land that is not protected by a physical barrier (such as a cable run). The rule on Network Rail is any area within three metres of any rail.

There are many gates in the fences alongside London Underground Lines.  Emergency planners have this information available.

In the case of a major incident, such as a catastrophic infrastructure failure or a derailment, it may be necessary to detrain passengers via the nearest exit point, which may be a fenceline gate.  It is essential that all safe walking routes to these gates are kept clear to allow safe evacuation for passengers in extreme circumstances.

Similarly, keeping safe access routes clear allow emergency services to access the track via the shortest possible route – traction current and train movement can be stopped should be necessary to access a train in between stations.

In addition, as a landowner, TfL has responsibility under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 (as amended) to not “to knowingly cause to grow” the plant species listed in Section 14, Schedule 9 part II.  There are three main NNIS plants that are found on the railway infrastructure.

You asked:

a) Who is responsible at tfl and has authorised the above mentioned measures?

A site visit was undertaken on Tuesday 26/05/20 by Joel Baker (LUL Vegetation Delivery Manager), Alan Richards (West Zone vegetation manager) & Jon Norton (arboricultural advisor).

b) What were the exact instructions that have been passed on the contractor?

570 linear metres of fenceline require maintenance to keep a strip clear and to remove encroachment over the boundary fence toward third party gardens and properties.

Felling and stump treatment of 1 ash tree to the rear of 109 Melrose Avenue. This tree is growing in the fence strip which should be clear of woody vegetation. It is also within 1 metre of drainage and pipe crossing (LU ref D204A) and will be removed to prevent damage to the pipe crossing and drainage asset.

Pruning of 1 third party apple at approx 43 Melrose Avenue where branches are extend over the track boundary fence and encroach the track.

Tree felling at Southern end of Melrose Avenue (rear of 1 – 25 Melrose Avenue):

Ash regeneration from seed and previous felling will be removed where they are within 5 metres of the nearest rail, this being to reduce leaf fall onto the track and reduce the risk of tree or limb fall onto the track.

Due to the growth habit and location of these trees, they will all in future require felling and stump treatment. The larger these trees get the higher the risk to the railway; with this comes increased cost of removal, risk to operatives who then have to climb and fell trees near the railway. There is also increased impact on adjacent residents. For these reasons it is better to remove the trees before they are too large.

c) who is (i.e. the name of) the contractor who has carried out the measure?

These works are being carried out by Cleshar contract services – CCS.

d) what are the total costs accumulated by this measure?

There are no specific costs as the contract is a labour-supply contract.

We would like to see the wording of the method statement as provided by the contractor and approved by the mayor of London and/or TFL.

Please find the method statement attached.

In accordance with our obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation 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.

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 note, the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the coronavirus. It is essential for London, that we continue to provide a safe transport network for essential journeys.
 
In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.
 
Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.
 
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]

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