Dear TFL, Please can you provide a breakdown of the costs to add a wheelchair accessible ramp to one of the entrances of South Woodford Tube station. From a local newspaper article I understand the cost of this is in excess of 4m pounds, which seems excessive to turn 7 steps into a ramp.

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TfL Ref: 2919-1819

Thank you for your email received by us on 1 February 2019 asking for information about London Underground’s South Woodford 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. You asked for:

a breakdown of the costs to add a wheelchair accessible ramp to one of the entrances of South Woodford Tube station. From a local newspaper article I understand the cost of this is in excess of 4m pounds, which seems excessive to turn 7 steps into a ramp.

I can advise that the project at South Woodford includes the following works:

1. Remodelling of the existing westbound station building to accommodate the new ramp structure, including demolition of existing walls and structures.

2. Relocation of the station power supply intake, associated cabling works and provision for new room to house the supply.

3. Diversions of existing services and removal of equipment to facilitate the works and accommodate the new structures, both temporary and permanent.

4. Providing a secondary means of escape in case of an emergency from the eastbound platform into the station car park.

5. Drainage works including the relocation of an existing manhole.

6. Implementation of finishes to floors, ceilings, walls and so on.

7. Undertake repairs to the roof and install a new waterproofing system.

8. Upgrade to existing station communications systems.

9. Installation of new manual boarding ramp, ticket machines and passenger help points.

10. New and upgraded lighting.

11. New signage.

The total cost of the works is expected to be £4.0m and this sum includes surveys, design, construction of the works, management and an allowance for risk.

Please be aware that in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply a full breakdown as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) - commercial interests. Disclosure of this information would be likely to affect the contractor’s ability to compete effectively in current and future tender exercises, as well as the commercial interests of TfL. Prejudice would be likely to occur when we go out to tender for such services in the future, because it would be likely to result in a clustering of bids based on previously negotiated payment rates and the company’s specific service delivery. Releasing this information would also be prejudicial to the company’s ability to compete for tendering opportunities with TfL and other companies in the future by placing their detailed operational expenditure into the public domain.

The use of this exemption 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, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.

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
Information Governance
Transport For London

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