TfL Ref: FOI-2264-1617
Thank you for your email received by us on 17 February 2017 asking for enforcement statistics at Catford Bridge.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our Information Access Policy. You asked:
At Catford Bridge on the A205, there is a no right turn restriction for traffic entering or leaving the retail site which is occupied by Halford and Wickes. Can you please tell me how many actions - and of what kind - have been taken for infringement of this restriction over the last five years, with monthly subtotals if possible.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g), which exempt from disclosure information which would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as to provide the information you have asked for would in effect disclose whether this restriction was being enforced. The purpose of enforcement is to deter drivers from contravening restrictions that are in place and penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued accordingly. Disclosing information which reveals the number or frequency of PCNs at a location would be likely to lead to a decrease in compliance with traffic restrictions at those locations, which would adversely affect the flow of traffic on the network and impact on TfL’s Network Management Duty. This would lead to a need to increase enforcement at those locations, which would mean increasing enforcement expenditure which would need to be paid for from public funds.
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 continue to comply with our Network Management Duty while making the best use of public funds.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Melissa Nichols
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
