Request ID: FOI-1485-2425 Date published: 04 September 2024
You asked
Please can you provide the following information on the camera located at CHURCH HILL RD S-BND JW A217 ST DUNSTAN'S HILL SM1
1. The specific use of this camera / what it was installed to monitor
2. Last date camera and sensor equipment was serviced and calibrated and the date/s of the previous service and calibration
3. Due date/s for next service and calibration
4. Equipment manufacturer recommendation on timeframes between servicing and calibration
6. First date the camera and sensor equipment was installed
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1485-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6th August 2024 asking for information about a camera at Church Hill Road, SM1.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1. The specific use of this camera / what it was installed to monitor
Answer: I am afraid that the information is excepted from release in order to protect our ULEZ enforcement infrastructure from vandalism (noting that release of information under the EIR is considered to be to the world at large rather than the individual applicant). The information is therefore being withheld under Regulations R12(5)(a) – “international relations, defence, national security & public safety” (in this instance specifically public safety); regulation 12(5)(b) – “the course of justice, the ability of a person to receive a fair trial or the ability of the public authority to conduct and inquiry of a criminal or disciplinary nature” (in this instance specifically the course of justice); and regulation 12(5)(e) – “confidentially of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provide by law to protect a legitimate economic interest.” The rationale for this is explained in more detail in a published response to a previous information request which is available on our website here:
Note that the exceptions apply to all of our camera infrastructure, not just those cameras used to enforce the ULEZ (on the basis that if the exceptions applied to ULEZ cameras only, then by default this would identify the purpose of those cameras).
This approach has recently been 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:
Question 2. Last date camera and sensor equipment was serviced and calibrated and the date/s of the previous service and calibration
Answer: 4th April 2024. There was no previous service since installation in November 2023.
Question 3. Due date/s for next service and calibration
Answer: 18th November 2024.
Question 4. Equipment manufacturer recommendation on timeframes between servicing and calibration
Answer: The supplier carries out Periodic inspections every 6 months on these assets.
Question 5. First date the camera and sensor equipment was installed
Answer: The installation date was 18th November 2023.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
