Request ID: FOI-0525-2122 Date published: 02 July 2021
You asked
1 -- What prompted the removal of the tree? Please provide the original assessment documents / emails.
2 -- Will the tree be replaced, in line with TfL policy (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/green-infrastructure)?
3 -- If yes, then when? If not, then why not?
4 -- What measures will be put in place to prevent HGVs from overrunning the pedestrian curb (a problem made worse by removal of the tree)?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0525-2122
Thank you for your further request of 10th June 2021 asking for information about the removal of a tree on Farringdon Road. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Your questions are answered in turn below: Question 1 -- What prompted the removal of the tree? Please provide the original assessment documents / emails. Answer: This request follows on from case ref FOI-0483-2122 which was answered on 18th June 2021 and which provided you with copies of the Removal Request and the Plane Assessment. The documents element of the question has therefore been addressed already. In regard to emails, we have run an automated search of relevant colleagues accounts using the keyword “Farringdon Road” for the period in question which returned 432 ‘hits’. This in itself may not find everything that falls within the scope of the request as not all relevant emails may necessarily contain that exact phrase. However, it is enough for us to conclude that it is not possible for us to source all of the material within the costs limit for responding to FOI cases, as set out in section 12 of the FOI Act. Under section 12, TfL is not required to spend more than £450 determining if information is held, and then locating, retrieving or extracting that information from elsewhere. This is calculated at a rate of £25 per hour. In order to find the material that falls within the scope of your request we would have to source and review each one of those 432 emails individually, as not all will necessarily be in relation to the removal of this tree. We do not believe this is possible within the costs limit. Question 2 -- Will the tree be replaced, in line with TfL policy (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/green-infrastructure)? And; Question 3 -- If yes, then when? If not, then why not? Answer: The assessment of this location unfortunately concluded that it is not suitable to plant a replacement tree there. Putting a new tree in the same location will mean it is susceptible to the same issue as this tree was. That said, we have every intention of planting a replacement tree and will do so in the nearest suitable location. We will be surveying the Transport for London Road Network throughout the summer to find suitable locations and any works to plant a replacement tree will be undertaken during the winter of 2021-22 Question 4 -- What measures will be put in place to prevent HGVs from overrunning the pedestrian curb (a problem made worse by removal of the tree)? Answer: HGV’s overrunning the kerb was the suspected cause of the damage to the tree and main factor in it being removed. We reinstated the footway and are monitoring with a view to installing mitigating measures as required. There are currently discussions on a future carriageway resurfacing scheme here and we have asked if an investigation in to feasibility of a redesign of the pavement profile for this left turn movement can be included as part of that. If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate 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.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
