TfL Ref: FOI-1879-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 November 2022, asking for information about tube temperature data.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You specifically asked:
Please could you release all the datasets/reports you have on temperatures at different tube stations and train lines for the years 2010-2020 please. If possible can the data be at the highest resolution there is (i.e temperatures at each station each day). If there are temperature readings on the platforms could that also be released please.
In response to your question regarding reports on temperatures at tube stations, please find the attached extract from a study on temperature effects on the London Underground, that contains discussion on platform temperatures between 2013 and 2020. Also attached are available temperature maps for 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
We record temperatures across the London Underground in order to inform our cooling initiatives. We are investing millions as part of a long-term programme to ensure we can deliver more services, and continue to introduce new trains to meet growing customer numbers whilst providing more comfortable journeys.
With regard to temperature datasets, it would be extremely difficult to prepare and interpret our database for release; it would take an excessive amount of staff time. Given the extent of the information you are looking for, we are partially applying Regulation 12(4)(b) as we believe that this part of your request is ‘manifestly unreasonable’ because providing the information would impose unreasonable costs on us and require an unreasonable diversion of resources.
However, you may be interested to know that we make average temperatures split by line available on the GLA website at London Underground Average Monthly Temperatures - London Datastore. The use of this exception is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to consider whether the public interest in applying the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure. We recognise that the release of information would promote accountability and transparency in public services. However, the time it would take to provide the information you have requested would divert a disproportionate amount of our resources from its core functions and on balance we consider that the public interest currently favours the use of the exception.
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
