Request ID: FOI-4023-2324 Date published: 02 April 2024
You asked
A copy of the contingency plans MTR EL follow, when a line block is put in place anywhere on the GWML between Paddington and Reading.
A summary of the service levels customers can expect in each section of the Elizabeth line, between Abbey Wood and Heathrow / Reading, where service disruption is expected to last for more than 1 hour.
An overview of any action TfL and MTR EL are planning to take to reduce overcrowding on Westbound Heathrow / Maidenhead / Reading trains, between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow / Maidenhead / Reading, in the evening peak.
The date of the next review of service levels on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Heathrow / Reading.
Reviews of MTR EL's response to service disruption (incidents) (within the time period outlined in my previous request).
Details of any action taken against MTR EL for consistently and unnecessarily concentrating service disruption on passengers travelling between West Drayton and Reading.
Thanks,
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4023-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on6 February 2024 asking for information about Elizabeth line delays. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Specifically you asked: In light of MTR EL's embarrassing performance recently, please provide the following: A copy of the contingency plans MTR EL follow, when a line block is put in place anywhere on the GWML between Paddington and Reading.
The contingency plans you have requested are exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the FOI Act. The exemptions have been applied as this information could be used by any individuals who may wish to cause disruption or harm to the Elizabeth Line services, and London’s transport network.
Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interest, disclosure of information under FOI has to be regarded as disclosure to the public at large. The transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. Disclosure of this material could compromise security and safety preparedness on the Elizabeth Line and London transport network, and would place members of the public and TfL staff at risk by highlighting areas on the network which could be susceptible to being targeted.
The use of the section 24 and 38 exemptions are 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, and acknowledge that there may be some interest in the information in question. However, as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to London’s transport infrastructure, in this instance we believe that minimising the risk to that infrastructure and protecting the safety and welfare of members of the general public and our staff outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure.
Please see the responses to the remainder of your request below:
A summary of the service levels customers can expect in each section of the Elizabeth line, between Abbey Wood and Heathrow / Reading, where service disruption is expected to last for more than 1 hour. In the case of a partial closure between Airport Junction and Dolphin Junction (roughly Hayes & Harlington to Langley) the Abbey Wood to Maidenhead service is withdrawn. This is to enable capacity on the two remaining tracks to be shared fairly between MTR Elizabeth Line(MTREL), Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express and other train operators. An overview of any action TfL and MTR EL are planning to take to reduce overcrowding on Westbound Heathrow / Maidenhead / Reading trains, between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow / Maidenhead / Reading, in the evening peak. The MTREL service pattern is constantly under review. Although no significant changes are proposed before May 2025. MTREL review the station stopping patterns, using passenger loading data to ensure that, so far as reasonably possible, capacity is provided for all passengers, taking into consideration the increase in passenger numbers seen at stations, such as Acton Main Line and Hanwell. The date of the next review of service levels on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Heathrow / Reading. The timetable is reviewed twice a year. The process starts 55 weeks prior to the commencement date of the timetable (for example, the May 2025 timetable work starts prior to April 2024). During this time, passenger loadings are reviewed and timetable options are explored. MTREL utilises the majority of the capacity available to MTREL on the Western Route. Reviews of MTR EL's response to service disruption (incidents), from the last two weeks. Reviews are undertaken on a daily, weekly and periodic basis, and involve other relevant parties, such as Network Rail and Alstom. Details of any action taken against MTR EL for consistently and unnecessarily concentrating service disruption on passengers travelling between West Drayton and Reading. MTREL has supplied the following chart: Public Performance Measure failures MTREL, and other parties including Network Rail, are incentivised to deliver good performance. MTREL has Contingency Plans agreed with Network Rail (and Heathrow Airport), which are designed to provide passengers with the best possible level of service during disruption, whilst recognising that there are likely to be restrictions on capacity. The above chart indicates the primary cause of delay, which on the Western Route is Network Rail infrastructure failures (31.23%), including overhead line equipment, points, track and signalling issues. Other causes of disruption include severe weather and trespass events. Alstom (the fleet supplier) issues also cause a significant amount of disruption which is responsible for 20.58% of performance failures. MTREL are accountable for 13.64% of performance failures, which are due to but not limited to ill passengers, antisocial behaviour, and station closures caused by staff shortages at other operators. There is a significant amount of work taking place with Network Rail Western Route and Alstom to reduce the number of service disruption incidents. We also review passenger feedback and adjust our contingency plans where possible. 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, Mary Abidakun FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
