Freedom of Information request - how many PCN issued and how many cancelled at 1-4 Harben Parade NW3
Request ID: FOI-1953-2223 Date published: 30 November 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Kindly supply under the FOI the number of PCN's issued and how many were cancelled opp.1-4 Harben Parade London NW3 during the course of the last 12 months?
We answered
TfL Ref: 1953-2223
Thank you for your request received by us on 7 and 10 November 2022, following clarification, asking for information about Penalty Charge Notices issued in the Harben Parade loading bay area of Finchley Road, north west London.
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 for:
the number of PCN's issued and how many were cancelled opp.1-4 Harben Parade London NW3 during the course of the last 12 months?
the information I require is the red-zone loading bay between 1 - 4 Harben Parade - Finchley Road, London NW3.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply this data 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.
Disclosure of this information has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’ and the release of information regarding our enforcement activity across the network would be likely to lead to further continued detailed requests concerning other enforcement activity which would enable others to build up a database of enforcement functionality, as well as attempt to predict when enforcement may or may not be operational by searching for any patterns that may be perceived. Enforcement restrictions must be adhered to at all times, irrespective of when enforcement activity takes place. We consider that there is a very real risk that disclosure would be likely to increase further the confidence of anyone inclined to contravene these restrictions, even if that confidence is ultimately misguided or irrational.
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 and that we are able to manage traffic on 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
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
