Request ID: FOI-0786-2324 Date published: 04 July 2023
You asked
Dear TfL,
I would like to request information regarding the existence of any office or team working in or for London Underground whose remit covers decisions relating to the positioning, size, design and content of direction and information signage in passenger circulation areas of stations under the control of London Underground, London Overground and/or other TfL rail services.
The reason for my request is an observation that the quality and usefulness of direction and information signage on the Tube network has been steadily deteriorating over a number of years. I recall seeing some years ago a documentary about a dedicated team with considerable experience in signage for stations. In my employment, I have been involved in the teaching of typographic design for public communication, and I want to update my knowledge on this particular subject, having held this team up in the past as a gold standard example of the art of information communication. If this team has now been retired, I would like to know how many people were employed in this role at its peak and during its demise, when that team was disbanded and what arrangements were put in place to cover that function.
Many thanks.
Clarification received 15/06/2023: You have answered the question.
I understand the answer to be that The Customer Information, Design and Partnerships team is the team responsible for station signage.
Further to that answer, is there a document stating the specific remit, function and/or service agreement of that team, and are there any documents of standards that this team works, specifically such things as materials, typefaces, type sizes, positioning of signage relative to the station layout?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0786-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12th June 2023 asking for information about TfL station signage. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. Specifically you asked: “I understand the answer to be that The Customer Information, Design and Partnerships team is the team responsible for station signage. Further to that answer, is there a document stating the specific remit, function and/or service agreement of that team, and are there any documents of standards that this team works, specifically such things as materials, typefaces, type sizes, positioning of signage relative to the station layout?” I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. However, note that TfL does not hold a “document stating the specific remit, function and/or service agreement” of the Customer Information team. In terms of “any documents of standards that this team works” to, please see the following pages of our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/suppliers-and-contractors/design-standards In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere. 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, David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
