Request ID: FOI-1246-2122 Date published: 15 October 2021
You asked
Regarding Bus shelter 0123/0367 Downham Way, Lewisham Regarding the shelter, I ask to be provided:
1. The installation date and invoices relating to the purchase and installation i.e., the cost of the shelter and the cost of the labour to undertake the fitting
2. Details of the electrics installed; the invoices for these and the costs of the labour to undertake the fitting
3. The inspection reports from 01/01/2019 to 01/01/2021
4. Details of the components damaged when struck 14/08/2021
5. The invoices for these replacement components
6. When the replacement commenced and when this concluded (dates/times)
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1246-2122
Thank you for your request received on 13 September 2021 asking for information about the bus shelter on Downham Way, Lewisham.
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:
1. The installation date and invoices relating to the purchase and installation i.e., the cost of the shelter and the cost of the labour to undertake the fitting
This Insignia shelter was originally installed on 3 February 1995. A new black Landmark London Mk1A advertising bus shelter was installed following the road traffic collision on 14 August 2020.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply some of the information around the costs as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested is commercially sensitive. This exemption is being applied to the following information:
• Installation cost of the shelter (cost of shelter and labour) • Installation cost of the electrics of the shelter (cost of shelter and labour) • Invoice for the replacement components of the shelter
This information would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests when we go out to tender for this and similar services in the future because it would be likely to result in a clustering of bids and cost estimates based on how much we are prepared to pay. This would therefore diminish our ability to obtain the best possible price by making it less likely prospective bidders would provide their best possible price.
The use of this exemption 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, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that TfL is able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
2. Details of the electrics installed; the invoices for these and the costs of the labour to undertake the fitting -
This is a lit shelter with an advertising box. Please see our section 43(2) arguments outlined in our response to Q1.
3. The inspection reports from 01/01/2019 to 01/01/2021 –
Please see the attached inspection reports.
In accordance with our obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of Article 5 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.
This exemption to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption.
4. Details of the components damaged when struck 14/08/2021 –
The whole shelter required rebuilding.
5. The invoices for these replacement components
Please see our section 43(2) arguments outlined in our response to Q1.
6. When the replacement commenced and when this concluded (dates/times) -
Following a road traffic collision the bus shelter was removed on a four hour emergency call out. The bus shelter was replaced on 2 October 2020 followed by the new electrical connection on 2 June 2021.
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
