Request ID: FOI-0029-2425 Date published: 23 April 2024
You asked
Good Afternoon,
As part of my FOI request I have the following questions.
A) How many bus lane enforcement cameras are there currently installed?
B) What percentage of these cameras are actively watched/recording for infringements.
C) What is the average cost of the installation of a bus lane enforcement camera?
D-1) Does a document exist within TfL that list all the locations of these cameras?
D-2) Can this document or a similar document be provided to me
We answered
TfL Ref: 0029-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 April 2024 asking for information about bus lane enforcement cameras.
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. You specifically asked:
A) How many bus lane enforcement cameras are there currently installed? B) What percentage of these cameras are actively watched/recording for infringements. C) What is the average cost of the installation of a bus lane enforcement camera? D-1) Does a document exist within TfL that list all the locations of these cameras? D-2) Can this document or a similar document be provided to me
Cameras are installed at key points across the red route and are used to enforce parking contraventions, bus lanes and moving traffic contraventions. In some cases, for example at major junctions, a single camera may be used to enforce multiple enforcement locations. In some cases, a single enforcement location may be covered by multiple cameras.
A) How many bus lane enforcement cameras are there currently installed?
As of 10 April 2024 there are 595 unique cameras used which could be used to enforce bus lanes. Some cameras are used for more than one location.
C) What is the average cost of the installation of a bus lane enforcement camera?
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply information on individual camera costs as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of the suppliers who provide, or may provide in the future, the cameras. Prejudice would be likely to occur should we go out to tender for this or similar services in the future, because it would be likely to result in a clustering of bids based on how much has been previously paid per camera. Disclosing this information could also be prejudicial to the camera manufacturer’s ability to compete for tendering opportunities with other companies in the future, as their competitive edge would inevitably be prejudiced by disclosure of a breakdown of their price and costs..
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency by public authorities but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that TfL is able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
B) What percentage of these cameras are actively watched/recording for infringements. D-1) Does a document exist within TfL that list all the locations of these cameras? D-2) Can this document or a similar document be provided to me
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to providewhere the enforcement cameras are located or the percentage of cameras which are actively enforcing contraventions, as this information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under Section 31 of the FOI Act, which relates to law enforcement. Specifically, we are refusing your request under Section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g) which relate to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information would reveal which parts of the TfL road network are covered by such cameras, along with the likelihood of receiving a PCN for a traffic contravention across our road network. The purpose of these cameras is to assist with the safe and smooth flow of traffic on the TfL road network, and TfL has the power to issue PCNs where drivers contravene a range of restrictions on the network. If drivers are aware of exactly where (and, by extension, where not) these cameras are placed and the likelihood of them not actively enforcing the network then it could encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered.
Disclosing information which reveals the locations of our enforcement cameras would highlight the locations where we do not enforce, which would lead to a decrease in compliance with traffic restrictions at those locations. This would adversely affect the flow of traffic on the network and consequently bus journey reliability times. Disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. While we recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, in this instance we feel that the greater public interest lies in favour of withholding the information requested in the interests of law enforcement and the daily operation of a busy network, ensuring that we can effectively deter motorists from contravening the red route parking, stopping and moving traffic restrictions.
