Request ID: FOI-2855-2324 Date published: 28 November 2023
You asked
Is the Highbury House Ventilation Shaft near the Emirates Stadium owned by TFL? If so, could you provide more information about how it functions and the lines it filters air from? Would someone be permitted to do extensive research measuring air quality around the ventilation shaft?
We answered
TfL Ref: EIR-2855-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9th November 2023 asking for information about the ‘Highbury House’ ventilation shaft.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Is the Highbury House Ventilation Shaft near the Emirates Stadium owned by TFL? If so, could you provide more information about how it functions and the lines it filters air from? Would someone be permitted to do extensive research measuring air quality around the ventilation shaft?”.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
The shaft referred to is the ‘Drayton Park Mid-Tunnel Ventilation Shaft’ and is owned by TfL. The shaft is located between Finsbury Park Station and Highbury & Islington Station and extracts heat from both the southbound and northbound Victoria Line tunnels. The shaft is mechanically ventilated using a heat extraction fan which operates around the clock. Regarding your last question (which is not a request for recorded information under the EIR), we assume this is asking if a member of the public is able to undertake monitoring, although it is not entirely clear. The public cannot access the louvres (the openings where the air is discharged) as the fan discharges vertically above a roof which is inaccessible to the public. If this does not answer this aspect of your request, please clarify exactly what further information is required and we can consider it further. Note that data on air quality in London can be found on the London Air Quality Network and Air Quality England websites via the following links:
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
