Hello, Under the Freedom Of Information Act, I’d like to request the following information – 1. How many speed cameras do you have in your area? 2. How many of those speed cameras are active at this precise moment in time? 3. How many times did you deploy mobile speed cameras in your area between 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2018? I sent this same FOI to the Metropolitan Police Service who referred me to you.

---

TfL Ref: 2122-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 October 2019 asking for information about speed cameras.

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:

1.    How many speed cameras do you have in your area?

2.    How many of those speed cameras are active at this precise moment in time?

3.    How many times did you deploy mobile speed cameras in your area between 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2018?

The number of safety cameras coming on line for enforcement constantly changes.  Currently the total number of speed cameras in operation is 744. We publish the location of cameras on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/road-safety/safety-enforcement-cameras

We are committed to keeping the Capital moving, working and growing and to achieve this we work in partnership with the police to deliver intelligence led enforcement activity. Our overriding focus is to keep London moving whilst ensuring the safety of all road users. We work closely with the police to enforce traffic regulations to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently for the benefit of all road users, supporting the economic life of the city.

All safety cameras in London are active except for sites currently undergoing modernisation and installation, or those that currently require work to be carried out due to faults or damage. In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply information on which speed cameras are not currently active or the number of cameras that are active as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(a).

In this instance the exemption has been applied as provision of this information would confirm whether its likely that restrictions will be enforced as well as identify where the enforcement is in operation.  The purpose of enforcement is to deter drivers from contravening restrictions so is focused on those areas of greatest risk, where compliance is low and where other traffic management initiatives have been unsuccessful. Disclosing information which reveals the activation status of safety cameras as well as the likelihood of enforcement would lead to a decrease in compliance with traffic restrictions at those locations, which would adversely affect the flow of traffic on the network as well as the safety of other road users and impact on TfL’s Network Management Duty.

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’re able to continue to comply with our Network Management Duty and ensuring the safety of all road users.

We don’t hold information on point 3 of your request as it is the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) who deploy mobile speed cameras not TfL.

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

Back to top

---