I'd like to know what happens to the old upholstery and fabrics when they are removed from the trains and how should a person proceed in order to get it.

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TfL Ref 0822-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 August 2020 asking for information about our old tube train upholstery and fabrics and how a member of the public can obtain some.

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 hold some of the information you require.

The removal and replacement of old tube seat covers are outsourced to external contractors, and the covers that are removed are disposed of via their control measures. The material removed is mainly due to heavy soiling of the covers or extreme wear including rips and tears.

You may want to look at the London Transport Museum shop which sells items in the moquette fabric. The link to the website is: https://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/.

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.

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

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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