Request ID: FOI-0679-2324 Date published: 07 September 2023
You asked
Please would it be possible to see the asbestos survey for DLR depot
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0679-2324
Thank you again for your request which we received on 1 June 2023, asking for asbestos survey for DLR depot.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
We have two depots for DLR - Beckton and Poplar. To avoid any doubt we will share asbestos reports for both. However, as I already mentioned, the DLR survey files are too large to send via email. We can make them available on our Sharefile site for you to download, but in order to grant you access you will have to provide me with your direct email address. You can email it to me directly at FOI ‘at’ tfl.gov.uk.
Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of the legislation, 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 of Schedule 2 which would make the processing ‘fair’.
Please also note that we have redacted all layout drawings and plans contained in the attachments as these contain information which could adversely affect national security or public safety (in line with regulation 12(5)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations – which includes an exception to the release of material that would adversely affect the security of public buildings). The redacted information contains drawings / plans showing layout and the location of security sensitive assets. Their release could place members of TfL staff at risk by highlighting areas which could be susceptible to being targeted by individuals intent on causing disruption or harm to TfL property.
Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under the EIR has to be regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. Disclosure of this information 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 application of exception 12(5)(a) has been subject to consideration of the ‘Public Interest Test’ (in essence, consideration of whether the greater public interest lies in applying the exception or in releasing the material in any case). While we appreciate the expectation of transparency from public bodies, in this instance we consider that the greater public interest rests in withholding the excepted material (which is relatively limited) to ensure the security of the site.
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 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
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
