I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act. Please respond to this address. • What the 'triggers' are to close London Underground stations to maintain social distancing. In the London Underground change assurance plan and risk assessment (here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-underground-change-assurance-plan-and-risk-assessment-covid19.pdf), it states that there are: "Triggers to close stations to maintain social distancing". Please provide information on these triggers.

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TfL Ref: FOI-1556-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7^th November 2020 asking for information about the closure of London Underground stations in order to maintain social distancing.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.

Specifically you asked:

“I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act: What the 'triggers' are to close London Underground stations to maintain social distancing. In the London Underground change assurance plan and risk assessment (here: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-underground-change-assurance-plan-and-risk-assessment-covid19.pdf), it states that there are: "Triggers to close stations to maintain social distancing". Please provide information on these triggers.”

There is no single, mandated list of triggers for a station to be closed to maintain social distancing. Rather, any action will depend on the station in question and the situation at that time. Such action will be considered within the local event plan for social distancing. Event plans set out the possible triggers for taking action, and what action might be most appropriate given the circumstances. For example, a gap in service leading to crowding on platforms may not require a closure of the station but other methods, such as closing gatelines or turning off escalators to slow the flow of customers to the platforms. All of these triggers are included in the event plans so that they can be understood by the station staff on site, and are managed locally.

Note that in providing transport services during the pandemic TfL is following the Government guidance to transport operators, which can be found on the GOV.UK website here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators

More general information about Coronavirus and travelling on the TfL network can be found on our website here:

https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/coronavirus

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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

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