Request ID: FOI-1419-2223 Date published: 06 October 2022
You asked
- How many bus lane cameras has TfL installed in Southwark since 2000?
- On which roads are these bus lane cameras located?
- How many fines has TfL given out to drivers for driving in bus lanes in Southwark each year sine 2010?
- How much money has TfL raised through bus lane fines since 2010 (data by year)?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1419-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12 September 2022, asking for information about bus lane penalty charge notices (PCNs) in Southwark.
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 some of the information you require. You asked:
- How many bus lane cameras has TfL installed in Southwark since 2000?
We manage the enforcement of restrictions on the Transport for London network as a single operation. We do not operate a dedicated network of cameras for any particular type of enforcement because, depending on their location, all of our cameras can be used to enforce all red route contraventions, including parking, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions.
- On which roads are these bus lane cameras located? - How many fines has TfL given out to drivers for driving in bus lanes in Southwark each year since 2010?
Cameras are installed at key points across the red route and are used to enforce parking contraventions, bus lanes and moving traffic contraventions. In some cases, for example at major junctions, a single camera may be used to enforce multiple enforcement locations. In some cases, a single enforcement location may be covered by multiple cameras. In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to providewhere the enforcement cameras are located and how many PCNs were issued for bus lane contraventions, 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) and Section 31(1)(g) which relate to information whose disclosure 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 disclosure of the information would reveal which parts of the TfL road network are covered by such cameras. The purpose of these cameras is to assist with the safe and smooth flow of traffic on the TfL road network, and TfL has the power to issue PCNs where drivers contravene a range of restrictions on the network. If drivers are aware of exactly where (and, by extension, where not) these cameras are placed then it could encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered. 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. In addition, the release of the number of PCNs issued for bus lane contraventions in Southwark, would reveal the enforcement activity carried out at this location, and could therefore be used those who wish to use restricted bus lanes and avoid penalty charges for doing so. This would adversely affect the flow of traffic on the network and consequently bus journey reliability times. 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. 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.
- How much money has TfL raised through bus lane fines since 2010 (data by year)?
The net income attributed to bus lane PCNs since 2013/14 is shown in the table below. Prior to this date, we did not split out the income attributed to any particular type of enforcement because, as explained above, we manage red route enforcement as a single operation.
TfL Bus Lane Enforcement
Year
PCNs
Net Income
2013/14
20,249
£722,554
2014/15
13,083
£266,859
2015/16
7,953
£231,661
2016/17
4,314
£109,195
2017/18
14,958
£661,892
2018/19
14,620
£578,419
2019/20
27,317
£1,093,666
2020/21
15,451
£747,461
2021/22
19,200
£1,020,609
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
