Freedom of Information request - Information relating to drainage issues at Highbury Corner
Request ID: FOI-2325-2122 Date published: 01 February 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Please can you provide answers to the questions below, all of which relate to the recently pedestrianised western arm of the former Highbury Corner roundabout directly outside of 251, 252 Upper St, London N1 1RU.
1) When did TfL first become aware of rainwater drainage issues at this location?
2) Which contractor was responsible for the installation of the rainwater drainage?
3) What has TfL determined to be the cause of the rainwater drainage issues at this location? Please provide any surveys or reports that have been undertaken in relation to this.
4) In response to the issues identified, what steps has TfL taken to ensure this issue does not persist?
5) What recourse does TfL have to seek compensation from the contractors responsible for either the design or installation of the rainwater drainage?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2325-2122
Thank you for your request received by us on 7 January 2022 asking for information about drainage issues at Highbury Corner, north London.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked for information about:
the recently pedestrianised western arm of the former Highbury Corner roundabout directly outside of 251, 252 Upper St, London N1 1RU.
1)When did TfL first become aware of rainwater drainage issues at this location?
We were made aware of these issues in December 2020.
2) Which contractor was responsible for the installation of the rainwater drainage?
The contractor responsible was Ringway Jacobs, who were appointed under TfL’s London Highways Alliance Contract (LoHAC) to implement the Highbury Corner Roundabout Removal project.
3) What has TfL determined to be the cause of the rainwater drainage issues at this location? Please provide any surveys or reports that have been undertaken in relation to this.
TfL maintenance has implemented CCTV surveys of pipework, dug trial holes, proved drainage runs to mains and lifted paving to investigate ducting. These investigations have identified incorrect installation and/or design of the Sector Specific Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS) at this location.
Attached are images of the ‘Completion After Photos’ of the various works which were carried out in this vicinity. A copy of the log record for these works has also been provided.
As a result of the surveys undertaken, the TfL engineering team has determined that small scaled localised level changes have caused the issues as it stands. This means there is a low point between the existing gully location and adjacent tree pit.
4) In response to the issues identified, what steps has TfL taken to ensure this issue does not persist?
Our TfL maintenance team has attended callouts to clear ponding when such incidents have occurred. Our investigations on the permanent solution to the issue are ongoing. It is likely that a localised revised drainage design will be required. Once approved, this will be implemented as quickly as possible.
In accordance with our obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed from the ‘Job Records for Highbury’ file, as required by regulation 13 of the EIR. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.
This exception to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption.
5) What recourse does TfL have to seek compensation from the contractors responsible for either the design or installation of the rainwater drainage?
As we are currently in the process of investigating the drainage issues, further work is required to appreciate the origin and therefore any liability of these issues.
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
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
