Request ID: FOI-3014-2122 Date published: 27 April 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Yesterday there was an oil spill on the A406 North Circular. Some residents live within or near an LTN where the only route out of their residence is immediately onto the A406.
Those residents were indeed trapped and unable to drive anywhere during this closure of the A406 and the traffic impacts were felt as far away as 5 miles.
1. Can you please confirm what plan is in place in the event of another minor or major incident, should residents need to evacuate the area by car when the A406 is temporarily closed or inaccessible?
Based on the fact residents may be Doctors, nurses paramedics, firemen or other key workers it is important to know the area is not paralysed during these incidents and to reassure residents that TfL has thought about this and has a plan in place?
We answered
TfL Ref: 3014-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 March 2022 asking for information about emergencies and access to streets.
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: Yesterday (29 March 2022), there was an oil spill on the A406 North Circular. Some residents live within or near an LTN where the only route out of their residence is immediately onto the A406. Those residents were indeed trapped and unable to drive anywhere during this closure of the A406 and the traffic impacts were felt as far away as 5 miles.
Can you please confirm what plan is in place in the event of another minor or major incident, should residents need to evacuate the area by car when the A406 is temporarily closed or inaccessible?
Based on the fact residents may be Doctors, nurses paramedics, firemen or other key workers it is important to know the area is not paralysed during these incidents and to reassure residents that TfL has thought about this and has a plan in place?
Any incident such as that you have referred to would be managed first and foremost by the emergency services i.e Fire/Police. These are known as Category 1 responders. TfL is a Category 2 responder and we would support any actions deemed necessary to support the emergency services in saving lives in conjunction with the local authorities.
The emergency services would advise residents on the method of evacuation. TfL works in partnership with the emergency services in managing incidents across London ensuring Londoners are safe whilst minimising disruption to the community.
LTNs, intended to encourage more people to walk and cycle more safely, are delivered by London boroughs. TfL has supported boroughs in the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods through its guidance on delivery and monitoring. The guidance stresses the importance of considering the requirements for emergency service access, with early dialogue with these services strongly recommended. The guidance was updated following lessons learnt from initial delivery of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods during the pandemic, with updates including highlighting the needs of disabled residents and the importance of meaningful consultations and early dialogue with the local community on schemes before implementation.
During the pandemic, some LTNs were implemented via an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). While a public consultation is not required prior to the introduction of an ETRO, statutory consultation with statutory consultees will take place before the making of the ETRO. Boroughs are advised to provide a 14-day consultation period for the emergency services.
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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
