TfL Ref: FOI-2702-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 24th November 2024 asking for information about door handles and locks at London Underground stations.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Within London Underground stations, many doors are fitted with a large steel pull handles, mounted on a large plate with a cut out for a euro cylinder lock at the bottom.
Can you please confirm where these are procured from and if they have a model number?”.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, I am afraid that the information is exempt from release under sections 24 (prejudice to national security), 31 (prejudice to law enforcement) and 38 (prejudice to health and safety) of the Freedom of Information Act. The exemptions apply because the requested material would be of use to any persons wishing to disrupt or damage London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via other means. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under FOI is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. As you will no doubt be aware, the transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past, as well as incidences of vandalism and criminal damage. The information requested could be of use for anyone seeking to research or plan for such activities.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously issued a Decision Notice regarding the use of exemptions to withhold information in relation to the security of public transport. Whilst the information requested in this case is different to the information you have requested, we believe the same arguments can be applied:
https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2017/2013536/fs50633090.pdf
The use of these exemptions are subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, we do not see any particular wider public interest in release of this information, and as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to London’s transport infrastructure, in this instance we believe that minimising the risk to that infrastructure and protecting the safety and welfare of members of the general public and our staff outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
