Freedom of Information request - Reasons for the placement of concrete barriers at the entrance to Farringdon Elizabeth Line Station
Request ID: FOI-4755-2324 Date published: 18 April 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Please can you answer the following questions which all relate to the area of land directly outside the entrance to the Farringdon Elizabeth Line Station at 42 Cowcross Street.
1. Why do there remain three large concrete barriers obstructing the pedestrianised road?
2. What is the primary reason for their placement here?
3. If they are here to provide hostile vehicle mitigation, why were permanent measures omitted from the original public realm designs for this area?
4. Are there plans to remove these barriers and if so, when and with what?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-4755-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 March 2024 asking for information about concrete barriers at the entrance to Farringdon Elizabeth Line Station.
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.
1. Why do there remain three large concrete barriers obstructing the pedestrianised road? These concrete barriers are Hostile Vehicle Mitigations, installed by Crossrail as a temporary measure during construction prior to the installation of the permanent HVM measures.
2. What is the primary reason for their placement here? Installed in accordance with TfL Security requirements prior to the installation of the permanent HVM measures.
3. If they are here to provide hostile vehicle mitigation, why were permanent measures omitted from the original public realm designs for this area? Permanent measures were not omitted from the design, they have not been installed yet due to complexities with the interfaces between the Crossrail project, oversite development, local authority urban realm and utilities in the area.
4. Are there plans to remove these barriers and if so, when and with what? The temporary HVM will be removed following the installation of the permanent HVM. We do not currently have a date for this work to be completed, but we are in contact with LB Islington who will carry out the work. 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
