Freedom of Information request - Aldwych Disused Underground Station Asbestos
Request ID: FOI-1058-2425 Date published: 24 July 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
As a transport enthusiast, I am interested in finding out if the disused Aldwych underground station has contained or still contains any asbestos. Please would it be possible to see a copy of the most recent asbestos survey/report for Aldwych station.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1058-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on1 July 2024 asking for information about Aldwych station.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold the information you require. Please find the requested report attached.
Please note that the photographs that appear in the report have been redacted under Regulation 12(5)(a) of the EIR. This exception applies to information that would adversely affect “international relations, defence, national security or public safety.”The rationale is that the photographs allow the exact location of presumed asbestos to be pinpointed. This information would be of value to anyone looking to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available through other means. While we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under EIR is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. The transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. The information requested contains sensitive information 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 the following Decision Notice regarding the security of public transport. While 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 this exception 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, and acknowledge that there may be some interest in the requested information, as evidenced by your request. 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.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please let me know.
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,
Mary Abidakun FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
