FOI request detail

FOIA Request - number of Notices of Intended Prosecutions issued on A20 (Sidcup bypass) under temporary 40mph speed limit

Request ID: FOI-2465-2425
Date published: 19 November 2024

You asked

Information Access Team, Could you please disclose the total number of Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) issued for speeding offences on the A20 (Sidcup bypass) resulting from Order 0622 (Temporary 40mph speed limit) made on 6th October 2023 by Transport for London under Chairman Sadiq Khan. This would have been for the entire enforcement period running from December 2023 (when the cameras began enforcing) to October 2024, when the cameras were taken down. These are average speed cameras, with the first located just after Crittal's Corner (lat 51.4107°, lon 0.1252°) and the second located at the McDonald's layby (lat 51.4093°, lon 0.1458°). I understand the NIPs are automatically generated, so this data should be relatively easy to retrieve. Please also disclose 1. the total number of NIPs issued broken down by month 2. total number of vehicles registered by the cameras, broken down by month 3. the exact dates of when the NIPs began being issued and when they stopped being issued.

We answered

Our ref: FOI-2465-2425/GH

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 5 November 2024 asking for information about the number of Notices of Intended Prosecutions issued on A20 (Sidcup bypass) under temporary 40mph speed limit.

 

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.

 

1. the total number of NIPs issued broken down by month

2. total number of vehicles registered by the cameras, broken down by month

NIPs are issued by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), and TfL does not hold the full information requested above. You may therefore wish to refer your request to the MPS.

 

The NIPs data which is held by TfL is exempt from release under section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act,  which can apply where release of information would be likely to prejudice the prevention of crime, or to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders. This is because the release of this information (or similar information in relation to other areas) would reveal locations where enforcement activity is less likely to be implemented, and may therefore encourage people to ignore restrictions at those locations. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interest, the disclosure of information under FOI is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large rather than to the individual applicant.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying and the information being withheld, or in releasing it in any event. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities and the fact that you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, in this instance we feel that balance of public interest lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure 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. We consider that the release of this information would lead to increased problems as some motorists may seek to take advantage of the information, which would have a detrimental effect on street management. This principle has been previously agreed by the Information Commissioner in relation to a similar, previous request, as can be seen in the following Decision Notice - the same arguments apply in your case:

https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2021/2620057/ic-69434-n9n7.pdf

 

3. the exact dates of when the NIPs began being issued and when they stopped being issued.

Enforcement commenced on 19 December 2023 and ceased on 22 August 2024.

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Graham Hurt

 

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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