Request ID: FOI-2789-2122 Date published: 25 April 2022
You asked
1. The total revenue received by TfL between 2009 and 2019 from yellow box junction enforcement 2. The revenue received by TfL between 2009 and 2019 broken down by year 3. The top 10 yellow boxes in terms of revenue received between 2009 and 2019 4. A list of the top 10 junctions and revenue received for each for each year 2009 to 2019 5. The number of yellow boxes on the TfL network 6. The number of yellow boxes enforced by camera on the TfL network 7. Total revenue received from yellow box enforcement since TfL first started enforcement (please name the year) to present day (or most current date).
We answered
TfL Ref: 2789-2122
Thank you for your email received by us on 5 March 2022 asking for information about yellow box junctions.
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.
TfL is directly responsible for the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), which represents 5 per cent of London’s road network. The other 95 per cent of London’s road are managed by London boroughs, although TfL maintains a strategic interest in London’s road network as a whole.
While we commenced enforcement of yellow box junctions on 1 June 2004, we can only provide information from 2016 when we moved to our current system. It may be useful to know that information about all PCNs issued by authorities in London is published annually by the London Councils on their website: https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/parking-services/parking-and-traffic/parking-information-professionals/information, however box junction PCNs are reported as part of the Moving Traffic PCNs category; there is no further breakdown available. Please also note that the information is reported by financial year, not by calendar year. You asked:
1. The total revenue received by TfL between 2009 and 2019 from yellow box junction enforcement 2. The revenue received by TfL between 2009 and 2019 broken down by year 7. Total revenue received from yellow box enforcement since TfL first started enforcement (please name the year) to present day (or most current date). We do not record revenue at this level because all of our red route enforcement operates as a single operation, therefore any operating expenditure relates to the whole operation. We can provide the information about the value of payments received for box junction PCNs, however as above, this is only available from 2016. The table below shows the number of box junction PCNs issued by financial year, the number of box junctions at which these PCNs were issued, and the total payments received for these PCNs.
Yellow Box Junctions
2020_21
2019_20
2018_19
2017_18
2016_17
Total
PCNs Issued
64,848
120,424
135,922
84,902
108,164
514,260
Payments Received
£4,541,160
£8,193,038
£10,029,254
£5,400,374
£7,405,372
£35,569,198
3. The top 10 yellow boxes in terms of revenue received between 2009 and 2019 4. A list of the top 10 junctions and revenue received for each for each year 2009 to 2019 In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested 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 purposes listed in subsection 31(2) of the FOI Act. In this case, this is section 31(2)(a) – the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
The release of the requested data could enable drivers to conclude that some locations are less likely to be enforced, which would let those who drive into restricted yellow box junctions avoid penalty charges for doing so. 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 we are able to manage traffic on the TfL 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 traffic problems as some motorists may seek to take advantage of the information by using bus lanes in areas that we do not currently enforce, and therefore delaying bus services. This would in turn have a further effect that TfL would have to divert further resources to enforcing more zones, which would be likely to involve increased staff and direct costs. It would not be in the public interest to limit TfL’s ability to make the most efficient use of its limited funds in this manner.
5. The number of yellow boxes on the TfL network We do not routinely count the number of traffic management measures on our road network, therefore we do not hold this information. The last record we have of conducting a count of box junctions on our red route network was in response to a Mayoral Question in 2011 which stated that we manage 450 box junctions https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2011/1273.
6. The number of yellow boxes enforced by camera on the TfL network Please see answer to question 4.
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
Eva Hextall FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
