Request ID: FOI-0411-2324 Date published: 08 June 2023
You asked
I would like to request under the Freedom of Information Act, in relation to the decision to close Kentish Town station from 26 June 2023 for maintenance work
1. The date on which the decision to close was taken by TfL, and the body by which said decision was taken (e.g. whether it was by committee, department director, etc.)
2. If the decision was made in a meeting, the papers submitted for that meeting, and the minutes thereof
3. Any reports submitted to the decision-making body which recommended either the closure or the timing of the closure
4. Any communications to station or other operational staff about the closure that were made before it was announced to the public (28 April)
5. The project timetable of works, indicating when each piece of work is estimated to start and finish, such as in the form of a Gantt chart
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0411-2324
Thank you for your request received on 13 May 2023 asking for information about the planned Kentish Town London Underground station closure.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
1. The date on which the decision to close was taken by TfL, and the body by which said decision was taken (e.g. whether it was by committee, department director, etc.) 2. If the decision was made in a meeting, the papers submitted for that meeting, and the minutes thereof 3. Any reports submitted to the decision-making body which recommended either the closure or the timing of the closure
An internal operational leadership meeting was held on 23 May 2022 regarding the closure of Kentish Town station where a decision was made to close the station by Directors due to the urgent need to replace the two escalators at the station. Please see the attached slide pack.
4. Any communications to station or other operational staff about the closure that were made before it was announced to the public (28 April)
There was a briefing meeting held with Trade Union (TU) representatives on 6 August 2022. This was when the formal consultation process began. Please see the relevant extract from the meeting minutes held with the TU representatives on 11 August 2022:
Kentish Town Closure
• Station expected to shut for 10 months next year. TUs have asked for a joint TU rep meeting regarding the closure. AA explained that 2 weekly meetings are currently ongoing with the project team involving a variety of subject matter experts. He also confirmed that CSM Rob Healy is on the group and attends the meeting. The group agreed that a new agenda item is created to start discussions around the displacement of staff.
• AO raised concerns around the passenger modelling which was lacking the weekend overview at the presentation given by project during the Tier 1 meeting on 09/08/2022. AA confirmed that this was being worked through with the project team and will get an update as promised by Eddie O’Connor during the next meeting which will be shared with the TU reps.
Please also see the attached correspondence that was shared with the staff at Kentish Town about the closure of the station for escalator works.
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 UK 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.
5. The project timetable of works, indicating when each piece of work is estimated to start and finish, such as in the form of a Gantt chart Please see the table below:
Works
8 June 23
6 July 24
Temporary works, enabling works, hoarding, gateline works
8 June 23
9 July 23
Removal of existing escalators
29 June 23
6 Sept 23
Civil works
7 Sept 23
24 Nov 23
Mechanical works
18 June 23
29 June 23
Electrical works
1 Oct 23
19 Dec 23
Fire works
2 Oct 23
3 Jan 24
Escalator installation works
24 Nov 23
23 May 24
Premises works
13 Apr 24
1 June 24
Communications systems works
1 June 24
2 June 24
Removal of hoarding and return escalator to service
2 June 24
9 June 24
Other miscellaneous station works
11 May 24
6 July 24
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
