FOI request detail

Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf crossing

Request ID: FOI-1263-1920
Date published: 11 September 2019

You asked

I would like to make three separate FOIR’s in connection to the Rotherhithe – Canary Wharf Crossing: Freedom of Information Request for the Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Crossing: I request the construction cost plans for all bridge design options for the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge. Freedom of Information Request for the Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Crossing: I request the analysis comparing all options for the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf crossing, (including ferry and bridge options) and its conclusions. Freedom of Information Request for the Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Crossing: I request the cost plan for the provision of a ferry to provide the Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf crossing.

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-1263-1920 

 

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 29 July 2019 asking for information on the Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Crossing. 

 

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 the information you require.

 

1.     I request the construction cost plans for all bridge design options for the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf bridge.  

Please see a summary below of the cost plan range for the two alignment options for the Rotherhithe - Canary Wharf Crossing which we considered in detail.  These were options located on the ‘northern’ or ‘central’ corridors. We would note that a direct comparison between the above estimates cannot necessarily be made since they are based on designs that were evolving over time. 

 

Alignment 

Construction Cost Plan Estimate Range 

Notes 

Low 

Mid 

High 

Northern (Hilton to West Ferry Circus) 

£312 m 

(see notes) 

£446 m 

(see notes) 

£580 m  

(see notes) 

No property costs were identified for this alignment since it was considered that the impact upon the Hilton Doubletree would be unacceptable and associated legal and compensation costs would be prohibitive. 

 

Detailed estimations for alternative routes through the hotel were not progressed for the above reasons. 

 

 

Central (Durand’s Wharf to West Ferry Circus) 

 

£250m 

£355 m 

£595 m 

Estimate range prior to most recent estimate below. 

Current Central  

(May 2019) 

£370m 

£463m 

£602m 

Most recent estimate leading to deferral of the project. 

 

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the full cost plans you have requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). This is because disclosure of the information you have requested is likely to negatively affect our commercial interests as well as those of our contractors.  

The full cost plans contain the unit rates and assumptions that are used by TfL for tender estimates and by its contractors, some of which are specific to this type of project and are infrequently used. Therefore releasing this information would jeopardise TfL’s commercial interests when procuring similar types of contracts in future and would be likely to negatively impact our ability to negotiate effectively particularly in relation to land and property, and therefore have a direct impact on our ability to obtain best value for money.  

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. Whilst we recognise that there is a public interest in transparency, particularly around major projects, we feel that there is a greater public interest in ensuring that our commercial interests are protected to ensure that we continue to be able to obtain best value for money in ongoing and future projects.  

The most recent estimate prior to deferral of the project can be broken down into the summary headings as follows: 

 

Concept design for central lifting bridge @ 12m height 

May 2019 Estimate 

Construction costs 

£183m 

Indirect costs  

£43m 

Land & Risk 

£137m 

Inflation 

£100m 

Point estimate outturn prices 

£463m 

Range 

£370m to £602m 

 

2. I request the analysis comparing all options for the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf crossing, (including ferry and bridge options) and its conclusions.  

Please find the Background to Consultation report and Factsheet links below: 

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/user_uploads/r2cw---background-to-consultation-report.pdf 

 

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/rotherhithe-canarywharf/user_uploads/r2cw---factsheet-2---crossing-options.pdf 

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

 

3. I request the cost plan for the provision of a ferry to provide the Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf crossing.  

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the ferry cost plan you have requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). This is because disclosure of the information you have requested is likely to negatively affect our commercial interests as well as those of our contractors.  

Updating the ferry cost plan forms part of our current work. We are unable to release it at this time as it could prejudice our commercial interests should we wish to carry out competitive tendering for services in connection with the project and would be likely to negatively impact our ability to negotiate effectively in future on this issue, and therefore have a direct impact on our ability to obtain best value for money.  

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. Whilst we recognise that there is a public interest in transparency, particularly around major projects, we feel that there is a greater public interest in ensuring that our commercial interests are protected to ensure that we continue to be able to obtain best value for money in ongoing and future projects. 

You may wish to refer to the to the Background to Consultation report and Factsheet links provided in response to your second question, as these include approximate cost information for the ferry option.   

 

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, 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  

 

 

Sara Thomas 

FOI Case Management Team 

General Counsel 

Transport for London 

 

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