Request ID: FOI-1141-2122 Date published: 06 September 2021
You asked
I recently accidentally (of course) spent 8 seconds within a box junction while queueing in traffic and received a fine - which I have already settled. It was an infraction that was all too easy to make - leaving me concerned that automated systems encourage excessive profiteering.
I therefore have a request to know the following regarding the enforcement camera known as...
HOMERTON HIGH ST/HOMERTON FIRE STN EMERGENCY EXIT
• When was this camera installed?
• How much revenue has this camera generated since it was installed?
• What is the cost (to TFL) of issuing each fine?
• What is the revenue for camera infractions spent on?
Most grateful if you can confirm receipt.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1141 - 2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 26 August 2021 asking for information about the enforcement camera at Homerton High Street / Homerton Fire Station.
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:
When was this camera installed?
How much revenue has this camera generated since it was installed?
What is the cost (to TFL) of issuing each fine?
What is the revenue for camera infractions spent on?
The yellow box junction was installed at this location to effect smooth entry and exit to and from the fire station. We commenced enforcement on 1 February 2013 and, from that date until 3 September 2021, we have issued 95,901 PCNs to vehicles contravening the yellow box restrictions.
As at 3 September 2021, the value of payments received for these PCNs is £6,661,024.56.
PCNs are processed by our service provider, Capita, under the terms of the Enforcement Operations Agreement. In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply information on the processing costs of issuing PCNs as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied to the detailed financial information you are requesting, as it would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests. We consider that disclosure of this information would prejudice TfL’s commercial interests by adversely affecting our ability to obtain the best possible price for the processing of these transactions when the contract is re-let. TfL has a duty to ensure its use of public funds offers the best possible value for the benefit of all our customers. 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, particularly where the expenditure of public money is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of this aspect of our processes.
TfL publishes details of income and expenditure in its Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, which is available on our website at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/annual-report. Income from yellow box junction PCNs falls within ‘Other income’ as detailed on page 87 of the report. All of our surplus income is reinvested in the Capital’s transport network as set out in our published budgets and business plans, which are available on our website at https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/business-plan.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
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
