Depth of all tube stations and overground stations
Request ID: FOI-3195-2324 Date published: 03 January 2024
You asked
I am looking for the platform depth for each station on the London Underground and Overground, in meters, above and below sea level.
I am seeking the same data from FOI-0493-2223, including the Elizabeth line platforms and the London Overground platforms.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-3195-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 4 December 2023 asking for information about the depth of all tube stations and overground stations.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we do hold the information you require, however, the information you have requested is exempt from disclosure in accordance with S38 and S24 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) provides an exemption from disclosing the requested data if such disclosure would endanger any individual. Disclosure of this information could pose a risk by providing information to those who may wish harm to the network. This may include sites which could be targets of sabotage, risking the physical safety of staff or information whose disclosure might have an adverse effect on public health. The safety and security of the public who travel on and the employees who work on our network is something we take very seriously. To clarify we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interests, however a disclosure under FOI is always regarded as a ‘disclosure to the public at large’.
To explain our considerations in further detail, the Elizabeth Line is regulated differently to London Underground. The Elizabeth Line is classified as a Railway (Heavy Rail) whereas London Underground is a light rail transit system, as such the regulation placed on both Rail for London Infrastructure (RfLI) and MTR Elizabeth Line (MTREL) is different. In brief this means that Heavy Rail operators / infrastructure owners have higher standards to adhere to within the National Railways Security Programme (NRSP) than London Underground who apply disclosure considerations in accordance with our own London Underground Security Programme rather than Government mandated security.
The NRSP (our regulatory document) makes clear references within the Network Security Section (S6) to the release of design information. Annex C –(Security Minded Building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management) states ‘it is vital that a security-minded approach is adopted to sharing and publication of information that could be exploited by those with hostile or malicious intent, to ensure the safety and security of assets, the services provided and most importantly, of personnel and railway users,’. The NRSP is a Government Document issued with a classification of Official Sensitive and it goes on to further outline - ‘this document is classified as official-sensitive as it contains classified security information and should therefore be held securely, it should not be stored or forwarded electronically. It may be passed to management and security advisers who need to know in order to undertake their role.’
As a qualified exemption section 38 is subject to a public interest test. This means that even if the information requested is exempt, we as a public authority must decide whether the public interest in maintaining the applied exemption is greater than the wider public interest in knowing the information. Again, we are not suggesting in any way that you would misuse this information. However, due to the strict Government safety regulations that have to be adhered in relation to Heavy Rail infrastructure and the potential for this information to be used by individuals who wish to cause disruption to the network or harm members of the public - as well as the current UK MI5 threat level being classed at substantial - whilst we strive to be a transparent authority in supporting individuals who have a keen interest in London transport, the interests of a select few individuals or transport enthusiast groups is not outweighed by the greater interest in maintaining the safety of our network and minimising the risk of harm to individuals. Apart from individual and private interests there is no wider public interest in the disclosure of this information. Therefore we believe that the application of section 38(1)(b) is appropriately engaged on this occasion.
Section 24 exempts information from the right of access if the exemption is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security. The panel consider that disclosure of the requested information would allow potential attackers to maximise the harm from an attack, by using accurate information concerning the layout of our stations. This in turn could assist in the planning of an attack to inflict the most harm. Each day around 25 million journeys are made across TfL’s network. 600,000 journeys are made each day just on the Elizabeth Line making it one of the busiest railways in the UK. A planned attack directed at the running of the network may cause harm to national security by disrupting the operation of one of London’s busiest transport networks, with consequent economic loss. We therefore consider that disclosure of information that would assist a third party to mount an attack would be exempt under Section 24.
Section 24 is subject to a public interest test and the panel recognises that there is a limited public interest amongst enthusiasts and specialist groups in understanding how our network operates. We consider that there is a stronger public interest in protecting national security, which would be undermined by the disclosure of the requested information
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
