FOI request detail

Incident Test/Exercise Planning and Deconfliction

Request ID: FOI-2141-2425
Date published: 01 November 2024

You asked

I request the following information under FOIa 2000: • TFL's testing and Exercising policy/procedure for major incident's (or the relevant procedural document that covers this), • How TFL came plan and conduct major incident exercises overnight on the 6/7/24 (to include the early morning of the 7/7/24 the 19th anniversary the 7/7 bombings) and on 5/10/2024 (the 25th anniversary of the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster). • Who (if the name can't be disclosed role and organisation worked for will surfice) proposed those dates and who the decision maker who decided on those dates (if not the same person). Additionally who from the TFL chief officer team signed off on those dates (if no sign off from the chief officer team why not?), • Were any concerns raised about holding major incident exercises on the London transport network on dates co-insiding with the anniversaries of incidents that resulted in significant loss of life involving the London transport network? • If so what were the nature of the concerns raised, and who raised them (role and organisation will suffice here). • Did any partner organisations withdraw from either/or the exercise planning or active participation of either exercise? • Any emails, MS teams messages or meeting notes/minutes where these exercises and any specificly any concerns or issues relating to them such as the "go/no go meeting" held on MS teams on the 5th October at 2130

We answered

Our Ref:        FOI-2141-2425

 

Thank you for your request received on 6 October 2024 asking for information about major incident testing and exercises.

 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. 

 

These were the Elizabeth line’s first live exercises since opening the railway and they were principally undertaken with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to test a number of TfL’s processes and LFB’s communications system from within our tunnels. We have a commitment with the LFB to carry out joint exercises and there are limited dates where we can carry out live exercises with minimal conflict with established engineering work cycles. Once the dates were selected, and following extensive internal conversations and considerations, the exercises were planned and carried out when the railway was not operational and therefore not in sight of the public so as not to cause any distress. 

 

You asked for:

 

TFL's testing and Exercising policy/procedure for major incident's (or the relevant procedural document that covers this)

 

We do not hold this information as there is no policy specific to exercising. Our standards and procedures which support our operations also apply to exercises.

 

How TFL came plan and conduct major incident exercises overnight on the 6/7/24 (to include the early morning of the 7/7/24 the 19th anniversary the 7/7 bombings) and on 5/10/2024 (the 25th anniversary of the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster). 

 

The dates for both exercises initially came from dates where it was possible to undertake an exercise with minimal conflict with established engineering work cycles. These exercises were planned at night to cause minimum disruption to the passengers and the public who rely on our services during the day. During the planning of both exercises, key events and anniversaries were carefully considered by us and partner agencies. Owing to the differing nature of the exercises and also the locations chosen, and that they were when the railway was not operational so not in sight of the public, the decision was taken to exercise on these dates to maximise the opportunity for learning which exercising provides.

Who (if the name can't be disclosed role and organisation worked for will surfice) proposed those dates and who the decision maker who decided on those dates (if not the same person). Additionally who from the TFL chief officer team signed off on those dates (if no sign off from the chief officer team why not?)

The dates were originally identified through reviewing our current access plans and then consulting with stakeholders and was approved by Head of Operations for the Elizabeth line as per our standard process.

 

Were any concerns raised about holding major incident exercises on the London transport network on dates co-insiding with the anniversaries of incidents that resulted in significant loss of life involving the London transport network?

 

As mentioned above, the anniversary of key dates was given very careful consideration and we worked closely with partner agencies to plan these exercises. We chose to continue planning these exercises on the dates stated to make the most of the opportunity of being able to exercise without impacting operations or engineering work schedules and learn the invaluable lessons which exercising offers

 

If so what were the nature of the concerns raised, and who raised them (role and organisation will suffice here)

Did any partner organisations withdraw from either/or the exercise planning or active participation of either exercise? 

 

Exercising in the early hours of 7/7 was reviewed with industry partners and we selected an exercise scenario that included limited involvement of other agencies. Plans to carry out the exercise in the early hours of 6/10 was also reviewed with industry partners, observations were made regarding this falling close to Ladbroke Grove anniversary, however again owing to the differing nature of the exercise and location, we chose to exercise with our industry partners as planned. London Ambulance Service were unable to take part in this exercise due to resource limitations.

 

Any emails, MS teams messages or meeting notes/minutes where these exercises and any specificly any concerns or issues relating to them such as the "go/no go meeting" held on MS teams on the 5th October at 2130 

 

We have no record of emails or MS teams messages being captured from any 2130 call on 5 October. 

 

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

 

Yours sincerely 

 

Gemma Jacob

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

 

[email protected]

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