Request ID: FOI-0720-2223 Date published: 12 July 2022
You asked
Could you please provide me with the following information under as a freedom of information request:
For the last year, please advise the amount of vehicles that have been captured and received a charge/fine by the transport for London road-side cameras, for driving unlawfully in the bus lane on the north circular road heading north on the specific stretch from the A10 Cambridge roundabout heading north until the junction of Green Lanes A105.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0720-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 24th June 2022 asking for information about the A10 bus lane.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“For the last year, please advise the amount of vehicles that have been captured and received a charge/fine by the transport for London road-side cameras, for driving unlawfully in the bus lane on the north circular road heading north on the specific stretch from the A10 Cambridge roundabout heading north until the junction of Green Lanes A105.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, I am afraid that the requested information is exempt from disclosure under section 31 of the Freedom of Information 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. 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:
