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