Request ID: FOI-0918-2425 Date published: 11 July 2024
You asked
---I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act. This concerns Clapham Common Underground Station.
It is just over a year since the critical incident which saw many passengers having to smash windows to evacuate a train because of perceived fire and smoke. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) report made a number of criticisms and findings. This included the fact that station staff were unaware of the situation because the CCTV was not working properly.
Therefore under FOI please answer the following:
1. Station staff have told me that CCTV equipment is only checked once a week. Is this still the case?
2. What community engagement has there been by TfL in Clapham since the incident?
3. What changes to the station safety regime has TfL implemented since the RAIB report?
4. Why were the evacuation procedures not followed by TfL at the time of the incident?
5. Given the narrow island platform at Clapham Common Station, what improvements will TfL make to other public transport nodes in Clapham to reduce overcrowding and reliance on the Northern Line?
6. What confidence building measures is TfL doing to reassure passengers about safety at Clapham Common Station
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0918-2425
Thank you for your request received on 15 June 2024 asking for information about the incident at Clapham Common Underground Station on 5 May 2023.
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. You asked:
1. Station staff have told me that CCTV equipment is only checked once a week. Is this still the case?
CCTV is checked daily as part of asset checks, during these checks each camera is checked to ensure it is operational and the picture is clear. The playback of CCTV is tested once a week, during these checks station managers will check to see if the CCTV can be replayed for different dates and times.
2. What community engagement has there been by TfL in Clapham since the incident?
Following the incident, TfL engaged with elected MPs, Assembly Members, councillors, and London TravelWatch, as well as issuing stakeholder updates. Senior TfL managers also met with the Mayor and with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee to provide them with a verbal briefing and respond to any questions they had. Additionally, TfL has continued to provide updates and share information, such as the outcome of its internal investigations, over the past 12 months.
3. What changes to the station safety regime has TfL implemented since the RAIB report?
TfL has reviewed risk assessments, rules and procedures and is undertaking a human factors study to better understand customer behaviour in these instances with a view to update training, competence management systems, risk assessments and the existing rules and procedures. The decision has also been made to retain investigation reports in perpetuity to ensure lessons and learning is retained. Work to implement recommendations provided by the RAIB report and TfL’s own internal investigation is ongoing.
4. Why were the evacuation procedures not followed by TfL at the time of the incident?
TfL station staff followed the correct evacuation procedures, however following feedback from the regulator these procedures are being reviewed and additional training in how to deal with a range of incidents is being considered.
5. Given the narrow island platform at Clapham Common Station, what improvements will TfL make to other public transport nodes in Clapham to reduce overcrowding and reliance on the Northern Line?
To reduce crowding on London Underground stations in the Clapham area, increasing the peak London Overground service frequencies at Clapham High Street station is being considered. This increase is dependent on securing funding for Phase 2 of the East London Line Housing Infrastructure Funding Agreement from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Provision of this funding remains under discussion. The bus network is also kept under constant review to ensure that it provides a reliable service while ensuring value for money and matching capacity to demand. It is important to note that morning peak usage at the London Underground Clapham stations is still lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. We continue to do everything possible to ensure the Northern line operates frequently and reliably and therefore maximise its available capacity.
6. What confidence building measures is TfL doing to reassure passengers about safety at Clapham Common Station?
TfL is committed to ensuring a safe and reliable transport network for all its customers and staff. At Clapham Common station specifically, TfL continues to engage local stakeholders and has already shared learnings from internal investigations. Please see the answer to question one for more detail. Work on implementing the RAIB recommendations made in relation to this incident is ongoing.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
