Canal and River Trust

The complainant has requested the engineer’s survey and investigation report from the Canal & River Trust (“CRT”) relating to the cause of the breach which occurred on 15 March 2018 between the Wardle Lock and Stanthorne Lock in Middlewich. The CRT withheld this information under Regulation 12(4)(d)(material still in the course of completion) and Regulation 12(5)(a)(international relations, defence, national security or public safety). The Commissioner’s decision is that the CRT did not hold the information falling within the scope of the request at the time it was requested and therefore considers that Regulation 12(4)(a) applies. Therefore, neither of the exceptions cited by the public authority is engaged. The Commissioner requires no steps to be taken.