Request ID: FOI-1648-2223 Date published: 25 October 2022
You asked
How many suicides were recorded over the last 5 years, which line and station has the most recorded?
In addition, what is the reason for these signs on the underground lines?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1648-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 10 October 2022, asking for information about suicides on the TfL network.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Please note that in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply any details relating to suicides on the LondonUnderground network. This information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under Section 38 - Health & Safety, particularly sections 38(1)(a) and 38(1)(b) which focus on endangerment to physical or mental health and the safety of any individual.
One of TfL’s utmost priorities is ensuring the safety of the general public when traveling on our network. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’ and so we must consider the possible impact from disclosure of any information we may hold regarding the information you have requested
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, but in this instance we feel that ensuring the protection of vulnerable people, passengers and staff puts the balance in favour of withholding the information.
The photo you sent, appears to show a Kilometreage sign. Kilometreage signs no longer serve an operational purpose and are gradually being removed. They were used from 1972 until the full adoption of the new Location Coding Standard (LCS) to identify distance on the track. The zero datum used for Kilometreage signs was set at Ongar Station. The last known operational use of Kilometreage sign was in 2014 when the track recording train switched to using LCS.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
