I am writing to request both a pdf file and a printed copy of the current in use Directions Sign in the whole underground network. I realise it would likely be exceeding the limit of £450, should that be the case, I would request all the directions signs used in Bank Station only, in both pdf and printed copy.

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TfL Ref: 3289-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 29 January 2020 asking for both a pdf file and a printed copy of the current in use ‘Directions Signs’ across the whole underground network.

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.

I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. However, to provide the information you have requested would exceed the ‘appropriate limit’ of £450 set by the Freedom of Information (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.

Under section 12 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to comply with requests if we estimate that the cost of determining whether we hold the information, locating and retrieving it and extracting it from other information would exceed the appropriate limit. In this instance, we estimate that the time required to answer your request would exceed 18 hours which, at £25 per hour (the rate stipulated by the Regulations), exceeds the ‘appropriate limit’.

We have estimated that it would significantly exceed the cost limit to collate electronic copies of all ‘Direction Signs’ used in each of our tube stations across the London Underground network. This is because we do not keep a central register of the directions signs used in each tube station, plus as stations are upgraded or extended or are undergoing improvement or upgrade works, directions signage would change depending on requirements and we would have to check all current signs in every station and compile this information.

You may be interested in accessing our London Underground signage manual which is available on our website using the following link: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/lu-signs-manual.pdf. This manual outlines all the design and standards that we adhere to when looking at wayfinding and signage in LU stations – any signage scheme or change will reference this manual to ensure that all parameters are met.

To help bring the cost of responding to your requests within the £450 limit, you may wish to consider refining your requests to concentrate on matters which are important to you. For example you may want to ask for an electronic version of one particular sign or type of signage. Although your request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, TfL does not have to answer your question if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request. If you have specific questions relating to these topics we may be more easily able to respond to these than to a request for any information held.

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

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