XXXX-rated bureaucracy
Aug 9, 2007 Freedom of Information, Transport
Faceless anonymity in the bastions of bureaucracy is a clear indicator that government is no longer working for the people. The refusal of public servants to be named and to hide behind unanswered generic switchboard numbers or, even worse costly 0870 telephone extensions, reveals a government afraid and out of touch with its citizens. [...]
Taxpayer funded political ads
Jul 31, 2007 Local Government, Transport
How come the Mayor of London gets to advertise himself at taxpayer expense? I was wondering this as I spotted yet another ‘public service’ poster on London’s tube. These posters seem to become more frequent as the service declines. And their tone is increasingly hectoring with one spotted today reading: ‘Don’t take it out on [...]
Congestion Charge cameras operating 24/7
Nov 27, 2006 Freedom of Information, Transport
London’s congestion charge might end at 6:30pm but the cameras operate 24 hours a day. I discoverd this fact after making a series of freedom of information requests for the documentary ‘Suspect Nation’, which was broadcast last week on More4.
Transport for London has implemented the 24-hour surveillance without any public discussion or consultation. If the [...]
Bendy Bus Accidents
Jul 13, 2006 Transport
I found this data kicking around in my office and thought there might be others who would find it interesting, so I’ve finally posted it online. These are the databases of all accidents reported to Transport for London on routes where Bendy Buses operate.
The documents detail accidents on bendy bus routes 12, 18, 25, [...]
Dept for Transport: new contact details
Dec 16, 2005 Book Updates, Transport
The Department for Transport has changed the email for inbound requests; it is now
foi-advice@dft.gsi.gov.uk
or you can use the online request form at
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_033691.hcsp
The FOI Officer remains the same but with a new title:
Mike Carty
Information Rights Unit Branch Head
Information & Better Regulation Division
Department for Transport
Zone 9/2 Southside
105 Victoria Street
LONDON SW1E 6DT
0207 944 5825 / GTN 3533 [...]
Cross London Rail Links
Jul 27, 2005 Book Updates, Transport
A debate in Parliament on 28 June 2005 has shed some light on the public accountability (or lack thereof) of Cross London Rail Links Ltd (CLRLL). Crossrail is not wholly owned by any one public authority, and as such is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
However, Derek Twigg (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for [...]
Transport in London
May 24, 2005 Transport, Useful sites
The Department of Transport published new guidance on how transport is run and managed in London. If you need to know who is responsible for what service then this is a good place to begin your journey.
A printable PDF version is also available.
Airline Inspection & Permits
Mar 8, 2005 Transport
Information released by the Department for Transport in response to a Freedom of Information request regarding airline inspections and permits. Published 7 March 2005.
Introduction regarding airline inspections and permits (PDF 6 Kb)
Operators inspected 2003 and 2004 (PDF 10 Kb)
List of airlines (PDF 14 Kb)
Air France Concorde crash
Mar 8, 2005 Transport
Another release from the Department for Transport in response to a Freedom of Information request. This one relates to correspondence between the DfT and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch concerning the crash of Air France Concorde F-BTSC on July 25 2000. Published 7 March 2005.
Email regarding correspondence from the AAIB on the Air France [...]
Records Concerning British Airways’ Decision to Stop Flying Concorde
Mar 3, 2005 Request Diary, Transport
In response to a FOIA request, the Department for Transport has today released the following records on British Airways’ decision to scrap Concorde. Documents are available to download from the DfT’s disclosure log, but below is a summary of what is available. The documents are very enlightening particularly the correspondence between Virgin and BA. There [...]
