Request ID: FOI-4321-2324 Date published: 18 March 2024
You asked
TFL is proposing to run the 675 bus along 3 residential streets in Woodford Green, where currently, buses do not run. These are, Charteris Road, Grosvenor Gardens (IG8 0BD), and Vernon Avenue. They are enforcing parking changes to suit this change, at short notice.
I am making a Freedom of Information request and asking to be provided with ALL documents relating to this change of route. This must include all emails, memos, meeting notes, documents, correspondence etc. Not just about the decision but to include also all details of the decision making process.
I look forward to receiving your response asap.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4321-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 21 February 2024, asking for information about bus route 675.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and TfL’s information access policy. I can confirm TfL holds the information you require.
The bus route 675 is on short term diversion between Chingford Lane and St Barnabas Road via Woodford Green High Road, Woodford New Road, North Circular Road, Chigwell Road and Broadmead Road due to bridge repair works. There hasn’t been a consultation as there is no permanent change to the service.
However, given the extent of the information you are looking for, and the breadth of your request, noting that no timeframe has been provided and also noting that you ask for all documents that we hold on this matter, Regulation 12(4)(b) is being applied to your request, as we believe that the request is ‘manifestly unreasonable’ because providing all of the information you have requested would impose unreasonable costs on us and require an unreasonable diversion of resources. Please also note that even in the event we were able to locate and collate all of the information requested, given the nature of the request it would be necessary to manually review all of the material for consideration of at least one or more exceptions from disclosure under the EIRs, which would further increase the processing time required to fulfil your request.
The use of this exception is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to consider whether the public interest in applying the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure. We recognise that the release of information would promote accountability and transparency in public services and also help address your particular concerns about this issue. However, the time it would take to provide the information you have requested would divert a disproportionate amount of our resources from its core functions and on balance we consider that the public interest currently favours the use of the exception.
You may wish to consider narrowing the scope of your request in order to lessen the time taken to process your request. For example, choosing to remove the request for all emails, memos and meeting notes, and instead ask for specific documents (such as the Route Test notes and / or the relevant Bus Services Meeting paper where this was discussed) which we hold and which are readily available.
Finally, please note that it is the London Borough of Redbridge who are carrying out any parking enforcement changes, not TfL.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
