What fire safety procedures do you have in place for the Emirate's Air Line? What would the evacuation procedure be, if a cabin were to catch fire mid flight?

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Our Ref: FOI-0750-2021

Thank you for your request received on 4 August 2020 asking for information about fire safety procedures for the Emirates Air Line (EAL).

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

Mace Operations Limited, operators of the Emirates Air Line cable car) has implemented a complete Quality, Health, Safety & Environmental Service with the overall aim of maintaining the safety of staff, guests, contractors and the public visiting the cable car. Our management systems and processes are fully compliant with the UK Cableway Regulations 2018 and other applicable UK legislation, and is audited and tested on a regular basis.

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the fire and evacuation procedures you have requested, as it is subject to statutory exemptions to the right of access to information, under Section 38(1)(b) of the Act. In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of this information could adversely affect the safety and security of our employees and members of the general public.

Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’. This information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use this information to cause disruption or harm to the Emirates Air Line.

Disclosure of information could compromise security and safety preparedness on the Emirates Air Line and would place members of the public and staff at risk.

The use of this exemption is 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, but in this instance the public interest in applying the exemption, in order to minimise risks to operational resilience, safe operation of the Air Line, the welfare of staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

The impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means 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.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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