TfL Ref: FOI-0742-1718
Thank you for your email received on 26 June 2017 requesting information about traffic cameras.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our Information Access Policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you requested. You asked:
The number of cameras owned and operated by Transport for London which are used for traffic enforcement and monitoring.
The co-ordinates of each of these cameras, along with any relevant metadata held (eg camera name, category, camera number).
TfL is responsible for the operation of the red route network in London, which makes up about 5% of all the road space in London but carries over a third of London’s traffic. Our overriding focus is to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently for the benefit of all road users, supporting the economic life of the city. We own and operate a network of 1,086 CCTV cameras which we use to monitor and enforce parking, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions on our road.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide co-ordinates of each of these cameras, along with any relevant metadata held as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(d) – Law Enforcement. This exemption applies to the disclosure of information which would, or would be likely, to prejudice the ability of the public authority in their assessment or collection of any tax or duty.
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. Consequently enforcement at those locations would need to be increased, which TfL currently does not have either the resources or infrastructure to undertake.
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.
Departments / teams within Transport for London which have access to these cameras.
The following TfL departments have access to our CCTV network:
-Enforcement and On-Street Operations
-Road User Charging
-Asset Management
-Projects & Programmes
-London Underground Control Centre
-TFL Press Office
External organisations which have access to these cameras.
The following external organisations have access to our CCTV network:
-The Metropolitan Police Control Rooms
-City of London Police Control Room
-Highways England Control Rooms
-London Ambulance Service Control Rooms
-London Fire Brigade Control Rooms
-Various London Borough CCTV Control Rooms
-The Mayor Of London’s Office
-The following external media organisations have restricted (view only) access to our CCTV cameras for the purposes of providing traffic news:
BBC
INRIX Media
Global Radio
The number of cameras owned by other organisations but which Transport for London have access to for traffic enforcement and monitoring, and a breakdown of which organisations own these cameras.
TfL has access to approx. 4000 cameras owned by other organisations. These are owned by the following organisation:
-The Metropolitan Police
-City of London Police
-Highways England
-Various London Boroughs
The co-ordinates of each of these cameras, along with any relevant metadata held (eg camera name, category, camera number, camera owner)
TfL does not hold this information.
If this is not the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Melissa Nichols
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
