Request ID: FOI-0823-2122 Date published: 27 July 2021
You asked
Dear Sir or Madam,
Please could I request a CD version of the Ibus and Tramlink Annoucements sent to me via the post please for my niece who is 4 and loves London Buses and Trams.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0823-2122
Thank you for your request of 22nd July 2021 asking for a CD of iBus and Tram announcements. 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 the information you require. However, while we are normally able to provide copies of announcements on CD format at the current time the FOI team remains working from home without access to our offices and the equipment we need to make CDs. I am afraid that your request is therefore being refused under section 14(1) of the FOI Act, as we consider that providing the requested information would place an unreasonable burden on us at this time.
To be clear, it is the current context in which the request has been made that is central to our decision to apply the exemption. In particular, we consider the following elements of s14 apply in this instance:
• The request is likely to cause a disproportionate or unjustified level of disruption, irritation or distress in the current circumstances
• Lacks sufficient purpose or value in the current circumstances
• Overly burdensome in the current circumstances
We have responded to several hundred requests for audio recordings over many years. However, processing your request at the current time would require individuals to attend office premises, contrary to our current working practices, in order to access the relevant equipment to compile the information requested and issue the response. We consider this to be a disproportionate burden on our staff and we cannot justify the use of our resources in this way at present for a request that we do not consider to carry any wider public interest.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells
FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
