Freedom of Information request - Circle/H+C/District and Metropolitan Line Announcements
Request ID: FOI-1856-2223 Date published: 18 November 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
I have previously requested the London Transport announcements and received the SharePoint link to them, but the Circle, H+C, District and Metropolitan Line announcements are not there.
May I please request a Digital version of these announcements either sent on a link, email or attached on this FOI response.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1856-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 October 2022 asking for Circle/H+C/District and Metropolitan Line Announcements.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
If you have access to our Sharepoint announcement files, you have access to all the announcements which are available to the public.
TfL is not obliged to supply the audio files for the Circle/H+C/District and Metropolitan Line announcements as the information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2).
In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL and/or Global Services Ltd. The recordings in question were provided to London Underground from Global Services Ltd under a signed contract which contained explicit conditions concerning disclosure and distribution.
The contract specifies that the recordings are solely to be used for the purpose for which they were created and for broadcast on the London Underground network only. If TfL were to disclose these recordings in response to an FOI request, it would constitute an actionable breach of contract and would be likely to result in a valid legal claim against London Underground or the license to use the recordings being withdrawn, which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs. TfL wishes to protect its commercial interests and ability to participate in future commercial activity. The disclosure of this information would be to the detriment of present and future business activities for both parties.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency within public authorities and the degree of public interest concerning London transport announcements in light of the recent disclosure of iBus announcements. However, in this instance this is outweighed by the damage that would be done to TfL’s ability to use these recordings and any future contractual negotiations that may take place regarding the London Underground announcements.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
