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'Vandalism between Newcastle and Darlington on morning of 20th February 2009'.
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A.J.P. Henderson,
AJP Henderson [[FOI #8299 email]]
Department for Transport
Direct Line: 0207 944 6766
Web Site: www.dft.gov.uk
20th. March 2009
o/r P0005031
Dear Sir / Madam,
I refer to your request for information about the delays to services from Newcastle to Birmingham on 20 February 2009. Your request was received on 20 February 2009. Please find below my response, under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to your requests for information.
In the case of factual documents relating to the incident(s) which caused delays to trains between Newcastle and Birmingham on 20th February, I have established that such documents as you request are not held by the Department.
In respect of your request for information about the Department for Transport's policy on protecting railway track from vandalism, I would inform you that the protection of railway tracks from vandalism is the responsibility of the owner of the relevant railway infrastructure. In the case of the journey you mention, this would be Network Rail, whose website describes the scale of trespass and vandalism, and how the problem is being addressed. The website address is: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/981.aspx . If you do not have access to the Internet, you may be able to use facilities at your local public library, or you can request a paper copy by contacting Network Rail at:
Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London
N1 9AG
National Helpline: 08457 11 41 41
HQ switchboard: 020 3356 9595
HQ fax: 020 3356 9245
In relation to your request for information about the Department for Transport's policy on giving railway customers information about the reasons for the delay to their journey at the time, the policy and practice on how customers are advised is a matter for the train companies involved, and the Department does not have a policy document on this. In situations where services are disrupted,the Department would expect that a train operator would make best efforts to keep passengers informed about the reasons for delay. However, it has to be recognised that the root cause of a disruption may not always be immediately known, can be complex, and can involve events on other parts of the network. For this - and other - reasons, we require train operators to record and analyse the delays they experience, and co-operate with others in developing effective remedies.
Under franchise agreements, train operating companies are required to manage effectively communications to passengers, and to seek to improve customer satisfaction with the provision of information. The Department for Transport therefore expects that a train operator would make best efforts to keep passengers informed about the reasons for delays where they are known.
If you are unhappy with the way the Department has handled your request or with the decisions made in relation to your request you may complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter by writing to the Department's Information Rights Unit at:
Zone D/04
Ashdown House
Sedlescombe Road North
Hastings
East Sussex TN37 7GA
E-mail: [email address].uk
Please see attached details of DfT's complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner.from [department] you may ask for an internal review. You should contact [name of official and address] if you wish to complain
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Sharp
Performance Management Team Ldr.
3/28 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7944 6766
Fax: +44 (0)20 7944 2177
e-mail: [email address]
Your right to complain to the Department for Transport and the Information Commissioner
You have the right to complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter about the way in which your request for information was handled and/or about the decision not to disclose all or part of the information requested. In addition a complaint can be made that DfT has not complied with its FOI publication scheme.
Your complaint will be acknowledged and you will be advised of a target date by which to expect a response. Initially your complaint will be re-considered by the official who dealt with your request for information. If, after careful consideration, that official decides that his/her decision was correct, your complaint will automatically be referred to a senior independent official who will conduct a further review. You will be advised of the outcome of your complaint and if a decision is taken to disclose information originally withheld this will be done as soon as possible.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
FOI Henderson 2003009