Penalty Charge Notices for Cycle Lane contraventions
Request ID: FOI-1008-2425 Date published: 04 July 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Please provide a table (broken down by location or borough) showing the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued on TFL roads from July 2022 until the present day relating to the following contraventions:
(a) Code 36 - Being in a mandatory cycle lane; and
(b) Code 49 - Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track or lane.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1008-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 June 2024 asking for information about PCNs issued for cycle lane contraventions.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You specifically asked: Please provide a table (broken down by location or borough) showing the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued on TFL roads from July 2022 until the present day relating to the following contraventions:
(a) Code 36 - Being in a mandatory cycle lane; and (b) Code 49 - Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track or lane.
From 1 July 2022 and up until 2 July 2024, TfL issued 71 PCNs for instances of vehicles contravening cycle lanes across our road network.
I can confirm that we hold the remainder of the information you require on the breakdown of where these were issued. However, I am afraid that the information we hold 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 rather than to the individual applicant.
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 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:
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 as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
