Dear Sir / Madam Could you please tell me: 1) The total number of PCNs issued by Transport for London for code 34J contraventions (bus lane) each year, from 2015 to 2020 so far, 2) For each of the full years (2015-2019), the location and number of PCNs issued by the five fixed position traffic enforcement cameras generating the most PCNs. Please can the information be provided by email. Should the data already be available, please could you provide me with URL links to the information. This would be in line with similar PCN data released recently by London boroughs that also enforce bus lanes. Your help would be very much appreciated.

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Our ref: FOI-0617-2021/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 July 2020 asking for information about PCNs issued for code 34J contraventions (bus lane) by fixed position traffic 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.

1. The total number of PCNs issued by Transport for London for code 34J contraventions (bus lane) each year, from 2015 to 2020 so far,                                                                                                                                                                    

Please find this information below. This data is from 1 January 2015 to 15 July 2020.

           

Year	No of PCNs issued
2015	9,100
2016	5,768
2017	10,513
2018	16,344
2019	23,671
2020	9,130
Total	74,526

                    

All revenue raised from PCNs is reinvested in transport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

1. For each of the full years (2015-2019), the location and number of PCNs issued by the five fixed position traffic enforcement cameras generating the most PCNs.

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested as it 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), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and section 31(1)(g), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions or any of the purposes listed in subsection 31(2) of the FOI Act. In this case, this is section 31(2)(a) – the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.

The release of the requested data would reveal the locations which we prioritise for enforcement activity and could therefore enable drivers to conclude that other locations are less likely to be enforced, which would let those who drive in restricted bus lanes avoid penalty charges for doing so. 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. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that balance 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 by using bus lanes in areas that we do not currently enforce, and therefore delaying bus services. This would in turn have a further effect that TfL would have to divert further resources to enforcing more zones, which would be likely to involve increased staff and direct costs. It would not be in the public interest to limit TfL’s ability to make the most efficient use of its limited funds in this manner.

We are able to advise that we have not used fixed position bus lane cameras since circa 2008. Fixed position suggests the camera is unable to move as in Pan Zoom and Tilt which all of our street CCTV cameras can do.

London Councils publish bus lane PCN data each year and is publicly available:

https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/parking-services/parking-and-traffic/parking-information-professionals/information

The impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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