Request ID: FOI-0929-2122 Date published: 13 August 2021
You asked
Please could you supply me a copy of the Line Emergency Plan for the northern line. This is a document that can be obtained and sent to me digitally. It may contain plans but I believe there is nothing sensitive to the company and can be given un-redacted.
I believe the document is held by London Underground, contingency planning, and can be supplied at very little cost.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0929-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 10th August 2021 asking for a copy of the Line Emergency Plan for the Northern Line.
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, I am afraid that the this information is exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the Freedom of Information Act. The Emergency Plans cover TfL’s response to major hazards and risks that may impact the London Underground network - including incidents that may pose a threat to life. The Plans are internal documents designed to be used by staff (and which are only accessible to relevant staff) in the event such an incident occurs.
The exemptions have been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could assist any persons wishing to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via other means. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under FOI has to be regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. As you will no doubt be aware, the transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. The information requested contains sensitive information about the operation of the network which could be of use for anyone seeking to research or plan for such an attack or to actively cause disruption to the network. The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously issued a Decision Notice regarding the application of sections 24 and 38 to withhold information in relation to security at transport hubs. Whilst the information requested in this case is different to the information you have requested, we believe the same arguments can be applied:
The use of the section 24 and 38 exemptions are 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, and acknowledge that there may be some interest in the information in question - as evidenced by the fact that you have requested it. However, as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to London’s transport infrastructure, in this instance we believe that minimising the risk to that infrastructure and protecting the safety and welfare of members of the general public and our staff outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure
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
