I haven't received a reply to the email below. Could you investigate please? I'd like to request any recent reports on the long term plan for the anti-terror barriers on central London bridges, under the FOI act.

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TfL Ref: 1049-1819-1819

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 13 July 2018 asking for information about barriers on central London bridges.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.

TfL are progressing feasibility work to develop options for protective security measures on river bridges. We are working closely with the police, Mayor’s Office, central government and London Councils to design permanent protection that enables walking and cycling while respecting the bridges’ history and national significance. This includes working with existing bridge proposals, for example cycle routes planned at Westminster Bridge.

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the requested information as it is subject to statutory exemptions to the right of access to information, under Section 38(1)(b) and Section 24 of the Act.

In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of 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 the London transport network.

Disclosure of information could compromise security and safety preparedness on London’s transport network and would place members of the public at risk by highlighting areas which could be susceptible to being targeted. It is our concern that the release of details about security measures 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 and the use you outlined in your request, the London transport network is an attractive terrorist target for several reasons including its importance to London and the knock on effect to the nation’s economy if it is disrupted.

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 transport network and the welfare of members of the general public outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

In applying this exemption we have taken into account the tribunal decision referred to in the following link: http://informationrights.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/DBFiles/Decision/i968/2013_02_28;%20Decision;%20EA.2012.0127.pdf

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

[email protected]

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