Request ID: FOI-0803-2425 Date published: 01 July 2024
You asked
I would like to know the allowed maximum train speed in each London Underground Lines, thank you.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0803-2425/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8 June 2024 asking for information about the maximum train speed on each underground lines.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information you have requested, as it is subject to statutory exemptions to the right of access to information, under Section 38(1)(b) and Section 24 of the FOI Act.
In this instance the exemptions have been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of TfL employees and members of the general public as well as national security.
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 detailed level technical information to cause disruption or harm to TfL’s network.
Disclosure of information could compromise security and safety preparedness and would place members of the public and TfL staff at risk by highlighting areas on the network which could be susceptible to being targeted. It is our concern that the release of details about the operating environment could be combined with other information already in the public domain to help plan an attack.
Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use the information for anything other than your own personal interest, the London Underground system and our other networks are attractive terrorist targets for several reasons including their importance to London and the knock on effect to the nation’s economy if they are disrupted, the publicity gained from attacking an iconic transport system and the attractiveness of the system for a mass casualty attack due to its open, mass transport nature. It is also important to the functioning of London and its economy.
The use of these exemptions 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 London Underground network, the welfare of TfL staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
