Request ID: FOI-1786-2122 Date published: 27 January 2022
You asked
I would like to request data on patrols and enforcement activity by TFL operatives in the Ward of Rushey Green in the London Borough of Lewisham over the last 12 month period. Could I also enquire as to what the SLA/Policy is for patrols in this area.
This ward is plagued by inconsiderate motorists and motorcyclists, undertaking unauthorised crossings across pavements and parking illegally on the pavement. In some cases blocking routes into and out of high-rises, and certainly in all cases causing anti-social behaviour.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1786-2122
Thank you for your request received by us on 9 and 29 November 2021 asking for information about parking enforcement in the Ward of Rushey Green, south east London, and the length of Transport for London’s Road Network (TLRN) – the capital’s red routes. 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 for:
information on the entirety of the Rushey Green Ward for the resources managed by TfL.
I would like to know the enforcement activity presented in a table for all enforcement activity types broken down by asset/location for the last full 12 month period you have.
Type of Enforcement
Asset Name
Parking on a Red line
Unauthorised cross over
Etc etc
A21 - Rushey Green
xx number
xx number
Catford Hill
Bromley Rd
A21 - Lewisham High St
S. circular Brownhill Rd
S. circular Stanstead Road
Sangley Rd
Catford Rd
Plassy Rd
Sangley Rd
..and any others
For the same 12 month period as above…
• I would like, presented in table form, the amount of visits by TfL Road Enforcement Operatives to Rushey Green Ward broken down by month to Rushey Green Ward.
• I would like, presented in table form, the amount of visits by TfL Enforcement Operatives to Lewisham Central Ward broken down by month.
• I would like, presented in table form, the amount of visits by TfL Enforcement Operatives to New Cross Ward broken down by month.
• I would like, presented in table form, the amount of visits by TfL Enforcement Operatives to each London Borough (disaggregated) broken down by month
I would like to know the Service Level Agreement in place for enforcement activity for my locality. If a generic report is provided please highlight the relevant sections for Rushey Green Ward in green and Lewisham generally in yellow.
I can advise that we do not hold this information on a Ward by Ward basis. However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the remainder of the information requested above because 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 this part of your request under section 31(1)(b), which relates to information which if disclosed 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 purposes listed in subsection 31(2) of the FOI Act. In this instance, it is section 31(2)(a) – the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
The release of this information would reveal vicinities and periods where enforcement activity is less likely to be implemented, and could therefore be used by those who wish to use highway areas where restricted parking applies and avoid Penalty Charge Notices when doing so. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interest as Councillor, in addition to the concerns outlined in your correspondence, disclosure of this information to you under FOI 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 we are able to manage traffic on the TfL Road Network. It would be strongly against the public interest to release any information that would undermine this. We consider that the release of this information would lead to increased traffic problems as some motorists may seek to take advantage of the information by using parking bays and other highway areas which are less heavily enforced than others, which would have a detrimental effect on street management and inevitably increase congestion locally. This would in turn have a further effect whereby TfL would have to divert further resources to enforcing these vicinities, which would be likely to involve increased staff and direct costs. It would not be in the public interest to limit TfL’s ability to make the most efficient use of its limited funds in this manner.
I would like to know the length of TfL road network enforced in Rushey Green Ward / Lewisham Central Ward / New Cross Ward & then for each London Borough (disaggregated)
Please see the attached data. The first spreadsheet provides the lengths of the TfL Road Network split across the Borough of Lewisham’s three Wards.
The second spreadsheet is categorised by individual London borough and provides the lengths of what is referred to as a ‘Traffic Authority’ link – these are the short side road stubs which lead into the main road – known as the ‘Highway Authority’, where measurements are listed accordingly.
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
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
