Request ID: FOI-2808-2122 Date published: 28 March 2022
You asked
The link you provided me with is showing the website with axonometric drawings in a pdf format. Would it be possible to obtain these as 3D files, e.g. dwg, obj, dxf, or any other 3D format, and not 3D views on 2D.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2808-2122
Thank you for your further email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8 March 2022 asking for 3D files of Bank/Monument station in DWG, OBJ or DXF formats.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and TfL’s information access policy. I can confirm TfL holds some of the information you require.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply this information, as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under Section 38(1)(b) and Section 24 of the Act.
We are unable to provide drawings of our stations in any of these 3D formats as disclosure would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of employees and members of the general public as well as national security. These files could be easily manipulated to reveal incremental information by highlighting areas on the network which could be susceptible to being targeted. It is our concern that the release of details about the operating environment could be combined with other information already in the public domain to help plan an attack.
Disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’. This information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use the station plans to cause disruption or harm to the London Underground network. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use the information for anything other than your own personal interest, the London Underground system is an attractive terrorist target for several reasons including its importance to London and the knock on effect to the nation’s economy if it is disrupted, the publicity gained from attacking an iconic transport system and the attractiveness of the system for a mass casualty attack due to its open, mass transport nature. It is also important to the functioning of London and its economy.
The use of these exemptions is 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, but in this instance the public interest in applying the exemptions, in order to minimise risks to operational resilience, safe operation of the London Underground network, the welfare of staff and members of the general public, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously issued a Decision Notice regarding the application of sections 24 and 38 to withhold information in relation to security and safety. Whilst the information requested in the referenced case is different to the information you asked for, we believe the same arguments can be applied. Please see the decision in the following link: http://informationrights.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/DBFiles/Decision/i968/2013_02_28;%20Decision;%20EA.2012.0127.pdf
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
