Sir/Madam, Please find below an FoI request. This request is regarding the road works on the A3 southbound near Tolworth Junction. I have been informed via TFL (Ref: 13137536) that a lane was closed on this road for safety reasons prior to the road works commencing. This lane closure has had a significant impact on journeys through the area and this has been exacerbated by the work not yet commencing for 1 month now. I would therefore respectfully ask that this FoI request provides documents which addresses the following questions/issues: - Can TFL provide the full safety assessment documentation that concluded that it was UNSAFE to keep all 3 lanes of the A3 open at the Tolworth junction. - Was the adverse environmental impact of congestion included as part of the safety assessment? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion. - Was the financial impact (economic loss) of on-going congestion included as part of the safety assessment? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion. - Was analysis done on the congestion impact (to the surrounding areas) of closing the lane? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion. - Was a trade off done on the safety benefits of closing the lane vs the financial cost of congestion? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion. - Was the cost of repairing the barrier traded against the risk of permitting traffic to continue using the lane? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion. - Was the congestion introduced as a result of this lane closure considered to itself introduce additional risks? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

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TfL Ref: FOI-3455-1819

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 18 March 2019.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.

The lane closures on the A3 were put in place following the identification of sections of corroded and damaged parts of the safety barrier, over one kilometre long. We had to take immediate action to protect the safety of the public by closing the lane adjacent to the barrier.

We have provided details of the condition survey that was carried out by our contractor (Kier) as part of our routine maintenance programme. However this is  purely to assess the safety of the structure and not any other assessments. The erosion and damage to the barrier means that it would not offer suitable protection should a vehicle make contact with the barrier, which is a major safety issue.

Unplanned closures to deal with emergencies such as this, where the closure has to be put in place to protect the public, are not subject to the same assessments as planned works.

We apologise for the impact that this has caused to people in the local area, however safety has to remain our first priority and we had no other option than to close the lane.

A barrier replacement is being made and will be installed in the next few weeks.

You asked for:

- Can TFL provide the full safety assessment documentation that concluded that it was UNSAFE to keep all 3 lanes of the A3 open at the Tolworth junction.

Please find attached the condition survey.

Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.

This exemption to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption.

- Was the adverse environmental impact of congestion included as part of the safety assessment? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

- Was the adverse environmental impact of congestion included as part of the safety assessment? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

- Was the financial impact (economic loss) of on-going congestion included as part of the safety assessment?  If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

- Was analysis done on the congestion impact (to the surrounding areas) of closing the lane? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

We do not hold the above requested information. This was not part of the safety assessment.

- Was a trade off done on the safety benefits of closing the lane vs the financial cost of congestion? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

No. Safety would not be compromised for financial cost.

- Was the cost of repairing the barrier traded against the risk of permitting traffic to continue using the lane? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

No Safety would not be compromised for financial cost.

- Was the congestion introduced as a result of this lane closure considered to itself introduce additional risks? If so, what was the conclusion and rationale supporting that conclusion.

Congestion is continuously monitored in our traffic control centre and the risk to public safety of keeping all lanes open was considered to be greater than closing a lane and the resulting congestion, which we consider to have little risk.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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