Request ID: FOI-1108-2223 Date published: 24 August 2022
You asked
To whom it may concern.
North Greenwich station has an area that is “temporarily cordoned off for safety reasons”.
This request is for any information and any documentation held or seen by TfL on this matter. This includes:
- the length of the temporary nature of the closure
- the actual safety reason for the cordoned off area
- rationale for not informing anyone at the station what the safety issue is (ie customers)
- the impact on residents unable to exit the station when people leave large scale events at the o2 due to closure of two exits at the front and side of the station
- the extent to which a risk assessment on flow of people at peak times was carried out
- the extent to which station staff were briefed on this temporary decision prior to carrying it out (as they can’t answer questions about it)
- plans existing prior to this request to inform people who use the station about the safety problem and what it is and how serious
Thankyou
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1108-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 4th August 2022 asking for information about the closure of an area of North Greenwich station.
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 some of the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1: the length of the temporary nature of the closure?
Answer: The cordon / exclusion zone was put in place on 21st June 2022 and we expect it to be lifted by the end of September.
Question 2: the actual safety reason for the cordoned off area?
Answer: The need to repair glazing in the roof above the cordoned off area. The specialist nature of the glazing has meant that the method and safe system for repair are complex, which has unfortunately led to a longer than desired rectification time.
Question 3: rationale for not informing anyone at the station what the safety issue is (ie customers)?
Answer: Station staff are aware of the situation (regular updates are provided to the Area Manager), and signage has recently been updated to give improved information to customers.
Question 4: the impact on residents unable to exit the station when people leave large scale events at the o2 due to closure of two exits at the front and side of the station?
Answer: We appreciate that the situation is not ideal, but the safety of customers and staff is the priority and a cordon is the only option available to ensure this. The required cordon was consulted on with the local station staff. Customers are still able to leave the station during events at the O2, but we have reduced flow and hold event crowds to allow customers to come up the escalators.
Question 5: the extent to which a risk assessment on flow of people at peak times was carried out?
Answer: This was discussed with the local emergency planning team, the Safety, Health and Environment partner, and the O2 team. It was deemed that a risk assessment was not required but that managing congestion during events was essential. A plan has been in place from the onset and the Area Manager reports that this has worked well. We are able to hold event crowds outside the station with the help of O2 security and the police. This ensures we manage crowd control with the new system we have had to work with.
Question 6: the extent to which station staff were briefed on this temporary decision prior to carrying it out (as they can’t answer questions about it)?
Answer: The Area Manager has been regularly provided with updates on the situation, and we had a local event plan that was used to brief the team on how the management of events would work. The plan is due to be updated and the Area Manager is due to consult with local Health and Safety representatives shortly.
Question 7: plans existing prior to this request to inform people who use the station about the safety problem and what it is and how serious
Answer: As referenced above, we had a local event plan that was used to brief the team on how the management of events would work temporarily. Signage has been in place and has recently been updated to give improved information to customers.
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 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
