Request ID: FOI-1154-2223 Date published: 06 September 2022
You asked
International Islamic festival taking place at Northolt Bohra Mosque (Masjid-ul-Husseini)
27th July 2022 until 7th Aug 2022
when was London Underground informed this was taking place ?
what measures got put in place for the extra passenger numbers before the event ?
when was the local Health and safety representatives informed it was taking place?
did any reviews of congestion control & emergency plans take place before event ?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1154-2223
Thank you for your request received on 10 August 2022 asking for information about the International Islamic Festival that took place at Northolt Bohra Mosque (Masjid-ul-Husseini).
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 hold some of the information you require. You asked:
When was London Underground informed this was taking place?
London Underground were first informed in early July that a potential event (Ashara) may happen at the local mosque to Northolt. The event had not been confirmed at this point. The mosque was (at this stage) one of two locations bidding for the honour, the other being Dubai. The final decision was made on 10 July with London being the winner. The event had never been held in London before. What measures got put in place for the extra passenger numbers before the event?
As described and stated to us by the organiser, they expected 2,100 customers per day to arrive by Tube between 0830 and 1030hrs from the maximum capacity of the event of 12,000 – over the entire day. The use of private transport was the favoured option. Return would be after 1700hrs and so would be spaced out. This equated to under two full trains per hour between 0830 and 1030hrs. Additional staff were provided from local stations each day for all or part shifts. Travel Ambassadors were secured for 0700-2300 every day to assist customers, advising people to use alternative travel and avoid Northolt where possible.
When was the local Health and safety representatives informed it was taking place?
We do not hold any information on this. Did any reviews of congestion control & emergency plans take place before event?
The Network Contingency Planning Manager reviewed the Congestion Control & Emergency Plans (CCEP) and validated that it was robust enough to deal with the numbers quoted by the organisers.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
