The number of PCN issued for turning into Jamaica Road from Southwark Park Road
Request ID: FOI-2004-2223 Date published: 06 December 2022
You asked
I have been issued numerous PCNs for turning into Jamaica Road from Southwark Park Road, but the road mark on the ground, which I found misleading, gives direction for making this turning. I would like to make the following requests under the freedom of information:
1) When did you put a restriction not to making a turning from Southwark Park Road to Jamaica Road?
2) Why you still have not removed the right turning road mark on Southwark Park Road after putting a no right turning signs on the traffic light poles?
3) Since putting the turning restriction from Southwark Park Road to Jamaica Road, how many vehicles in a week are ignoring the restriction and making the turning?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2004-2223
Thank you for your clarified request received by us on 16 November 2022 asking for information about the banned right turn into Jamaica Road from Southwark Park Road.
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:
I have been issued numerous PCNs for turning into Jamaica Road from Southwark Park Road, but the road mark on the ground, which I found misleading, gives direction for making this turning. I would like to make the following requests under the freedom of information:
1) When did you put a restriction not to making a turning from Southwark Park Road to Jamaica Road? 2) Why you still have not removed the right turning road mark on Southwark Park Road after putting a no right turning signs on the traffic light poles? 3) Since putting the turning restriction from Southwark Park Road to Jamaica Road, how many vehicles in a week are ignoring the restriction and making the turning?
The scheme for this new banned right turn from Southwark Park Road into Jamaica Road was implemented in October 2020; the restriction was introduced as part of the cycleway scheme on Jamaica Road.
The provision of a right-turn arrow in the off-side lane is legitimate as some vehicles (buses, taxis and pedal cycles) are permitted to make the right-turn. The right-turn prohibition and exemptions are clearly signed in the signal sign boxes.
As noted above, some vehicles are permitted to make that turn and would not receive a fine for doing so; however data on the number of vehicles ‘ignoring the restriction and making the turning’ is effectively asking for the number of vehicles fined every week for making the turning and we have interpreted your request as such; in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested in part 3 of your request relating to a specific location 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.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested on the number of fines issued at a specific location would reveal the likelihood of a driver being issued with a fine at that location. The purpose of enforcement 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 how likely (and, by extension, how unlikely) they are to be issued with a PCN then it would encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered or are covered to a lesser extent. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, 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. 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, to ensure the safe and effective operation of 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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
