Request ID: FOI-1346-2223 Date published: 27 September 2022
You asked
1. How many PCNs have been issued to unauthorised vehicles entering the bus gate on the south side of London Bridge (driving northbound over the bridge from Borough High Street), over the past 2 years?
2. How may PCNs for this contravention have been successfully appealed (either cancelled by TfL or by Traffic Penalty Tribunal)?
3. Of the successful appeals, please provide information about the reason(s) for successful appeal.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1346-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 4 September 2022.
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 PCNs have been issued to unauthorised vehicles entering the bus gate on the south side of London Bridge (driving northbound over the bridge from Borough High Street), over the past 2 years?
How may PCNs for this contravention have been successfully appealed (either cancelled by TfL or by Traffic Penalty Tribunal)?
Of the successful appeals, please provide information about the reason(s) for successful appeal.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31 of the FOI Act, which relates to law enforcement. Specifically, we are refusing your request under section 31(1)(b), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and section 31(1)(g), which relates to information whose disclosure would be likely to prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions or any of the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
The release of the requested data would reveal the enforcement activity carried out at this location, and could be used by those who wish to use restricted bus lanes and avoid penalty charges for doing so. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’.
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 to ensure that drivers in London use the roads in compliance with the relevant restrictions, to ensure the safe and effective operation of the road network. It would be strongly against the public interest to release any information that would undermine this.
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
