Our Ref:         FOI-1077-1718

Thank you for your request received on 5 August 2017 asking for information about pedestrian guardrails (PGR).

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. You asked for:

1. The amount of pedestrian safety railings removed in the last 5 years by TfL

17.5km of PGR have been removed during this period.

2. Any assessment criteria used when deciding where to remove

Engineers follow the ‘Guidance on the Assessment of Pedestrian Guardrail’ available on our website: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/guidance-on-assessment-of-pedestrian-guardrail.pdf.

In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.

3. Any information/reports on accidents before and after removal

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information you have requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information, under Section 22 of the Act.

In this instance the exemption has been applied as the information you have requested is intended for future publication. We are planning to publish a report detailing the impact of the removal of PGR, including its affect on collisions. It is anticipated the report will be published on our website by the end of September 2017.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to assess whether the public interest in applying the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. In this instance, it is considered that the public interest favours the publication of this information, in context and according to the pre-determined schedule, rather than in response to your request, to ensure the information is provided accurately and in an accessible manner.

4. The date of removal for the junction Thurlow Park Rd/Tulse Hill/Norwood Rd and any associated assessment report

The PGR at this location was removed on 8 May 2017. This was assessed against the existing Road Safety Audit, and by the Outcomes Design Engineering (ODE) team. Please see comments from both below:

Road Safety Audit
Stage 1/2
Guardrail Removal Phase 2
Removal of Pedestrian Guardrail
A205 in Lambeth
Ref: 1438.56/09/A205/TLRN/2011

4.1.12 Three panels of PGR are located within the central island at the junction of Norwood Road and South Circular Road. The Audit Team have no issues to raise regarding the removal of this PGR.

4.1.13 Four panels of PGR are located on the northwest corner at the junction of Norwood Road and South Circular Road. The Audit Team have no issues to raise regarding the removal of this PGR.

Location: D – South Circular Road junction with Norwood Road
The ‘non preferred’ arrangement at this staggered pedestrian crossing guides pedestrians to ‘walk away’ from approaching traffic. The Audit Team are concerned that the removal of PGR may invite pedestrians to ignore the stagger and cross in a straight ahead movement. Any pedestrian performing this manoeuvre does so behind the stop-lines, and therefore potentially between stationary, accelerating or decelerating vehicles thereby increasing the potential for conflict.
RECOMMENDATION
Retain the 8 panels of PGR within the central island. The Audit Team have no issues to raise regarding removal of the remainder of the PGR.
ODE comments:
No objection to remove

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

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

Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]