how many accidents have there been on the tube in the gap between the train and the platform in the last 5 years how many of these accidents resulted in a settlement by tfl how many accidents have there been at west Kensington station that involved the gap between the train and the platform how many of these accidents resulted in a settlement by tfl what is the largest financial award that tfl have made to an individual who was hurt because of an accident between the gap and the platform what is the lowest financial award that tfl have made to an individual who was hurt because of an accident between the gap and the platform how are the announcements made at local tube station reminding members of the public to mind the gap what is the procedure to record an accident at west Kensington what training do staff get to deal with accidents at tube stations what specific training did the staff at west Kensington station have n 2018

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TfL Ref: FOI-2733-1920

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request (attached) received by Transport for London (TfL) on 5^th December 2019 asking for information about accidents at London Underground stations/West Kensington station.

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. Your questions are answered in turn below:

Question 1: how many accidents have there been on the tube in the gap between the train and the platform in the last 5 years?

Answer: The information is as follows (covering the period 1^st April 2014 to 7^th December 2019). Note that “PTI” stands for “Platform Train Interface” and includes passengers falling between train and platform, but also other incidents at the platform/train interface where the passenger does not necessarily end up between train and platform:

Customer Incidents
PTI Incidents	2014/15	2015/16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	Total
Non Injuries	176	216	121	94	119	220	946
Injuries	367	327	290	325	402	295	2006
Total	543	543	411	419	521	515	2952

Workforce Incidents
PTI Incidents	2014/15	2015/16	2016/17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	Total
Non Injuries	1		1	8	2	6	18
Injuries	11	5	14	11	19	15	75
Total	12	5	15	19	21	21	93

Question 2: how many of these accidents resulted in a settlement by TfL?

Answer: Two.

Question 3: how many accidents have there been at west Kensington station that involved the gap between the train and the platform?

Answer: In relation to the data provided at question 1 above, two of the incidents were at West Kensington station – both customer incidents.

Question 4: how many of these accidents resulted in a settlement by TfL?

And;

Question 5: what is the largest financial award that TfL have made to an individual who was hurt because of an accident between the gap and the platform?

And;

Question 6: what is the lowest financial award that TfL have made to an individual who was hurt because of an accident between the gap and the platform?

Answer: If TfL is liable for an accident, we are guided by historic case law on settlements, judicial guidelines on claims values, and advice and input from our claims handlers and legal panel. However, the precise information requested is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides for information to be withheld where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority that holds the information). In this case we believe that the release of this information would be likely to prejudice TfL’s commercial interests by potentially encouraging targetted claims, and by having an adverse impact on our ability to negotiate settlements where claims are made. The use of this exemption is subject to a ‘Public Interest Test’, which requires us to consider the pros and cons to the public of releasing the information, and to form a judgment on whether the overall balance of public interest lies in withholding or releasing the information. TfL is mindful of the need to be open and transparent in the operation of our business, and we appreciate that there is a public interest in the spending of public money. However, there is also a strong public interest in ensuring that TfL achieves the best value when spending public money. In this case, we believe that the public interest falls in favour of protecting the public purse by ensuring we do not encourage claims and, where such claims are made, we are able to negotiate settlements based on the circumstances of the specific case without prejudice.

Question 7: how are the announcements made at local tube station reminding members of the public to mind the gap?

Answer: Announcements at stations can be pre-recorded or made live. The types of announcement will be specific to each station and will cover safety, security, and customer service issues as necessary. Local staff determine the frequency with which pre-recorded announcements are made.

Question 8: What is the procedure to record an accident at West Kensington?

Answer: At West Kensington an incident can be reported to the station staff who would contact our Service Control immediately to assist with the incident. The train operator can be made aware through either face to face communications or through the passenger emergency alarm system. The Train Operator will also be monitoring his CCTV to monitor any potential safety incidents.

Question 9: what training do staff get to deal with accidents at tube stations?

Answer: Our Train Operators are given promotional training where they are given examples of incidents and how to deal with them. In all circumstances they are told to contact Service Control to get further assistance and guidance of any situation. This is then reinforced within our Continuous Development program.

Question 10: What specific training did the staff at West Kensington station have in 2018?

Answer: Our Train Operators get line-route retention training through every location within their line. This will cover any areas of risk within the Platform Train interface environment.

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 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,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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