Request ID: FOI-1798-2122 Date published: 15 June 2022
You asked
On 2 Nov 2022 it was announced that RideLondon 2022 would be organised in partnership with TfL: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/march/new-look-ridelondon-for-spring-2022-as-tfl-confirms-new-ten-year-partnership
I would like to request a copy of any agreements, memorandums of understanding or similar documents documenting what has been agreed between TfL and London Marathon Events Limited or The London Marathon Charitable Trust. I understand that some of what was agreed might be commercially sensitive information which you'd be obliged to redact, however I'd like to see the remainder.
I would also like to request, if it's not included in the above request, any maps/plans or other visual or textual descriptions of the intended route of the 100-mile challenge ride and stages one and two of the new three-day UCI Women’s WorldTour road race, which will be held from 27 to 29 May.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1798-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 November 2021, asking for information about RideLondon 2022 route.
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 some of the information you require. You asked:
I would like to request a copy of any agreements, memorandums of understanding or similar documents documenting what has been agreed between TfL and London Marathon Events Limited or The London Marathon Charitable Trust.
A redacted copy of the agreement is attached.
The redactions have been made under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which permits the withholding of information that would be likely to prejudice commercial interests. Material has been redacted where release would be likely to prejudice TfL’s and London Marathon Events Limited LME’s commercial position in future negotiations. Prejudice would be likely to occur when wego out to tender for similar services in the futurebecause it would be likely to result in a clustering of bids based on our negotiated commercial agreement. Disclosing this information would affectour ability to negotiate deals with suppliers, sponsors and landowners in the future, as our competitive edge would be prejudiced by disclosure of this financial data.
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 we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
Furthermore, in accordance with TfL’s 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 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.
I would also like to request, if it's not included in the above request, any maps/plans or other visual or textual descriptions of the intended route of the 100-mile challenge ride and stages one and two of the new three-day UCI Women’s WorldTour road race, which will be held from 27 to 29 May.
We do not yet hold a map for the intended route because it is still subject to consultation and agreement with the boroughs. When we have an agreed route this will be published on the London Marathon event website early next year.
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
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London