Request ID: FOI-0117-2324 Date published: 11 May 2023
You asked
I would like to request under the Freedom of Information Act, information held by Transport for London relating to road traffic Fixed Penalty Notices issued by your officers for the financial years 2017-18 to 2022-23 inclusive.
In particular, I would like to concentrate on FPNs issued on the basis of ANPR camera systems operated by «Name». An example of such a notice would be a camera covering a boxed junction or a one-way street.
I would like to know the total number of FPNs issued by Transport for London during the period and the number of FPNs issued on the basis of evidence from ANPR camera systems.
I would like a further breakdown of the ANPR figures to show the number of:
• Yellow Box offences
• Illegal left/right turn offences
• Entering a Low Traffic Neighbourhood zone
• Entering a school street area during a restricted time.
I would also like locations of the ANPR cameras / locations of the junctions with the number of offences.
I would also like to get data on the number of appeals made by motorists in each category for the period in question and the result.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0117-2324
Thank you for your request received on 11 April 2023 asking for information about fixed penalty notices (FPNs). For clarity, TfL does not issue FPNs but penalty charge notices (PCNs). FPNs are issued by the Police.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
I would like to request under the Freedom of Information Act, information held by Transport for London relating to road traffic Fixed Penalty Notices issued by your officers for the financial years 2017-18 to 2022-23 inclusive
In particular, I would like to concentrate on FPNs issued on the basis of ANPR camera systems operated by «Name». An example of such a notice would be a camera covering a boxed junction or a one-way street.
I would like to know the total number of FPNs issued by Transport for London during the period and the number of FPNs issued on the basis of evidence from ANPR camera systems.
The network of major roads TfL manages – red routes – makes up 5% of London’s roads, but carries up to 30% of the city’s traffic. Red routes help reduce congestion and ensure crucial deliveries and journeys can be made safely to keep the city moving. Additionally, most of our moving traffic enforcement is via attended CCTV systems.
The total number of PCNs issued across our network for contraventions of the TfL Road Network (TLRN) is published for 21/22 online:
To find data for other earlier financial years please use the same website. I would like a further breakdown of the ANPR figures to show the number of: • Yellow Box offences • Illegal left/right turn offences • Entering a Low Traffic Neighbourhood zone • Entering a school street area during a restricted time
TfL does not monitor or enforce Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – this done by the local London boroughs. Please also be advised that there is no contravention code we report on for “entering a school area during a restricted time”. To find out if this was the reason for a PCN being issued we would have to look at each individual PCN which fell under other broader codes and this would exceed the would exceed the ‘appropriate limit’ of £450 set by the FOI (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. The number of offences for stopping on school zig-zags is likely to be extremely low and we rarely have school zig-zags on a red route, as the red route controls themselves offer a similar level of protection. The outside school zig zag lines are mainly used by the boroughs.
PCNs are issued to the small number of drivers who fail to follow the rules on London's network of red routes, putting the safety of themselves and other road users at risk and causing disruption and delays on some of the capital's busiest and most important roads.
Please see below for PCNs issued for the remaining two scenarios and for each of the financial years requested. To note, the decrease in PCNs throughout 2020/21 and 2021/22 largely relate to decreased numbers of people using the roads during the pandemic.
Financial Year
PCNs issued
2017/18
145,338
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
122,994
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
13,042
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
7,368
Total
143,404
2018/19
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
135,921
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
9,567
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
17,960
Total
163,448
2019/20
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
120,423
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
7,635
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
21,220
Total
149,278
2020/21
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
64,848
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
8,789
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
6,853
Total
80,490
2021/22
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
109,700
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
4,044
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
11,645
Total
125,389
2022/23
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
148,605
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
6,574
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
42,103
Total
197,282
2023/24
Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
3,949
Performing a prohibited turn (no left turn)
165
Performing a prohibited turn (no right turn)
1,281
Total
5,395
Grand Total
868,686
• I would also like locations of the ANPR cameras / locations of the junctions with the number of offences.
The information you have requested is exempt from disclosure under section 31 of the FOI Act, which can apply where release of information would be likely to prejudice the prevention of crime, or to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders. This is because the release of this information (or similar information in relation to other areas) would reveal locations where enforcement activity is less likely to be implemented and may therefore encourage people to ignore restrictions at those locations. Disclosure of the location of the cameras would also enable those who wish to avoid detection to enter or drive within areas where there are restrictions, defeating the purpose of those restrictions. If vehicle owners know they can avoid PCNs by avoiding the cameras, it removes the incentive to use their vehicles in line with the objectives of the restrictions. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interest, the disclosure of information under FOI is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying and the information being withheld, or in releasing it in any event. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities and the fact that you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, in this instance we feel that balance of public interest lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that we are able to manage traffic on the TfL Road Network. It would be strongly against the public interest to release any information that would undermine this. We consider that the release of this information would lead to increased traffic problems as some motorists may seek to take advantage of the information, which would have a detrimental effect on street management. This principle has been previously agreed by the Information Commissioner in relation to a similar, previous request, as can be seen in the following Decision Notice - the same arguments apply in your case:
https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2021/2620057/ic-69434-n9n7.pdf • I would also like to get data on the number of appeals made by motorists in each category for the period in question and the result.
This information is available from the London Tribunals website:
https://www.londontribunals.gov.uk/ If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
