FOI request detail

Russell Square station

Request ID: FOI-1919-2122
Date published: 06 January 2022

You asked

20.12.21 clarification: Thank you for your request for clarification. I am looking for numbers of passengers who require assistance from staff whilst using the stairs. How often is staff time required to assist passengers who have started using the stairs and for whatever reason cannot complete the climb unaided. Original: Dear Transport for London, How many passengers in each of the last five years have become stranded in the 175 step staircase at Russell Square Station, requiring staff assistance or rescue?

We answered

TfL Ref: 1919-2122

Thank you for your clarified request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 20 December 2021 asking for information about passengers needing assistance on the stairs at Russell Square Station in the last five years.

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 the information you require. You asked for the numbers of passengers who require assistance from staff whilst using the stairs at Russell Square tube station, and how often staff time is required to assist passengers who have started using the stairs and for whatever reason cannot complete the climb unaided, for each of the last five years.

We have carried out a search of our safety incident reporting system for London Underground since November 2016 for all incidents that happened on the stairs at Russell Square station. Please see below details of the six incidents which have been identified. Please note that based on local management awareness of the station we do not believe that any of these incidents occurred on the 175-step staircase you specifically asked about in your original request.

 
Reference Date Time Location Area Asset Details Approx duration of incident
IRF000812507 30/12/2016 09:15 Russell Square Stairs Stairs leading to westbound Customer Fall 09.15 - 09.40
IRF000815136 13/01/2017 12:55 Russell Square Stairs Lower landing exit of lifts Customer Fall 12.55 - 14.07
IRF000852267 20/06/2017 18:30 Russell Square Stairs Stairs to Platform 1 Customer Fall 18.30 - 19.55
IRF000931968 11/06/2018 13:55 Russell Square Stairs Stairs from the westbound  platform Customer Fall 13.55 - 14.31
IRF001008795 05/06/2019 18:23 Russell Square Stairs
Stairs leading to eastbound platform
Customer Fall 18.23 - 19.45
IRF001146076 24/10/2021 17:30 Russell Square Stairs Staircase 3/604 Customer Collapse 17.30 - 19.14

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

Sara Thomas
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
 

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