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

1. The full contents of the crowd control policy.
The crowd control policy is a briefing instruction to our operational teams. The content of this brief covers when crowd control will be implemented, how safely to implement it, what messages we should be communicating to our customers and how we can support our customers during this time.

Each station has its own Congestion and Control Emergency Plan, however, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of this document as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under Section 38 (Health and Safety). In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of this document would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of our employees and members of the general public.

 

Although we in no way suggest that you would use this information for anything other than your own personal interests, disclosure of this document under the FOI Act would 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 detailed level of information to cause disruption or harm to the TfL Rail network. Additionally, disclosure of information which could compromise security and safety preparedness on our network would place members of the public and staff at risk by highlighting areas on the network which could be susceptible to being targeted.

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 TfL Rail network, the welfare of staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

2. The legal status of the policy.

Under Railway Byelaws, we are permitted as a Operator to implement a queue in order to regulate order or safety on or near the railway.

3. What consultation was done prior to putting this policy in place.

We have worked closely with the British Transport Police, local councils, the RMT and ASLEF unions as well as other train operators.

4. The date from which it was implemented.

I can advise that this has been in place since October 2015.

5. How many times it has been effected at Manor Park station since it was put in place.

Since January 2017 (when recording began) crowd control was put in place 24 times.

6. At what level / grade this decision was made on each occasion the policy was effected at Manor Park station.

This was made by a senior manager based in our operational control room.

7. On what grounds the decision was made on each occasion it was effected at Manor Park station.

Predominantly we will restrict access to the platforms for the following two reasons:

• Due to train service disruption when we will not be able to provide a train service for an extended period of time. In this instance customers would be prevented going on to the platform and alternative routes would be advised.

• Due to a train being cancelled. Consequently, due to the subsequent train being twice as busy we would regulate the flow of customers onto the platform to ensure the train which is full can proceed to leave the station safely.

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.