I would like to know how CCTV footage of London's roads is monitored by TfL. 1. Do the traffic cameras that TfL own record footage, or is it just a live view for the camera operator at the time? 2. Under what circumstances would CCTV footage be recorded by TfL? I would like a list of every possible circumstance. 3. Can the CCTV camera automatically start recording footage, or is this something that has to be manually completed by the operator? 4. How long do TfL store footage of the road network for?

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Dear

TfL Ref: FOI-1905-1819

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 20 October 2018.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:

I would like to know how CCTV footage of London's roads is monitored by TfL.

Please note we have provided information for cameras managed by our Road Network Compliance (RNC) team and the London Streets & Tunnels Operation Centre (LSTOC). The RNC uses CCTV cameras for road traffic compliance on TfL’s road network and the LSTOC is responsible for monitoring London’s tunnels and the associated road network. Please find the below answers from the two different teams:

1. Do the traffic cameras that TfL own record footage, or is it just a live view for the camera operator at the time?

    

    

   Yes, a TfL camera may record within RNC. They can also view live camera streams.

    

    

   The LSTOC cameras do not record images. However, cameras in road tunnels do record for safety purposes.

    

    

2. Under what circumstances would CCTV footage be recorded by TfL? I would like a list of every possible circumstance.

    

    

   RNC only records footage to capture road traffic offences committed on TfL’s road network.

    

    

   At LSTOC a Traffic Control Operator could record streets or tunnels cameras if there was a safety issue observed.

    

    

3. Can the CCTV camera automatically start recording footage, or is this something that has to be manually completed by the operator?

    

    

   Within RNC a recording can only be actioned by the camera operator when a road traffic offence is being committed on TfL’s road network.

    

    

   The process is manual for streets cameras and the operator needs to remain in control of the camera to record. Cameras in road tunnels have the ability to auto record.

    

    

4. How long do TfL store footage of the road network for?

RNC may hold a footage up to 18 months. If a penalty charge notice for a road traffic offence is settled earlier then the recording is deleted by the system earlier.

At LSTOC, any street camera recordings are auto deleted after 31 days. For tunnels they are stored for 24 hours then they are auto deleted unless evidence is requested by the Police.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some 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 Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

  

Dear Transport for London,

I would like to know how CCTV footage of London's roads is monitored by TfL.

1. Do the traffic cameras that TfL own record footage, or is it just a live view for the camera operator at the time?

2. Under what circumstances would CCTV footage be recorded by TfL? I would like a list of every possible circumstance.

3. Can the CCTV camera automatically start recording footage, or is this something that has to be manually completed by the operator?

4. How long do TfL store footage of the road network for?

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