Request ID: FOI-1051-2223 Date published: 17 August 2022
You asked
An FOI request was obtained from the Met Police1 titled ‘Current guidance relating to speed cameras’ which states:
“The MPS has responsibility for enforcement, however, Transport for London (TfL) has responsibility for ownership and maintenance of all Safety Camera equipment. The MPS follows NPCC guidelines for enforcement”.
The FOI goes on to state the NPCC guidelines for enforcement as being 10% + 2 mph:
“The MPS changed the enforcement threshold for speed and red light offences from 10% +3 to 10% +2 mph with effect from 14 May 2019. The threshold is now consistent with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guidelines”.
Can you please tell me under an FOI request?
1. How many Safety Cameras TfL own and maintain?
2. How many are situated in a 20-mph zone?
3. How many are set to trigger and capture an image at below 24 mph?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1051-2223
Thank you for your requests received by Transport for London (TfL) on 31 July 2022, asking for information about speed 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 that we hold the information you require. You asked:
How many Safety Cameras TfL own and maintain?
There are 925 safety camera sites in London.
How many are situated in a 20-mph zone?
175 of these are located in 20 MPH Zones.
How many are set to trigger and capture an image at below 24 mph?
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide you with this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g), which exempt from disclosure information which would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law. In this instance the exemption has been applied as to provide the information you have asked for could lead to a potential loss of deterrent. Speed restrictions are in place for the safety of road users, and safety cameras are put in place to deter drivers from contravening these restrictions. A disclosure made under FOI is deemed to be a disclosure ‘to the world at large’. Disclosing information which reveals the actual speed limit the camera is set at would be likely to lead to a decrease in compliance with traffic restrictions. 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 which helps enforce restrictions which are in place and ensures that we are able to achieve Vision Zero of no-one killed or seriously injured on London’s roads.
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
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
