Request ID: FOI-2839-2223 Date published: 24 February 2023
You asked
Please could you provide me with the following information:
Which company provides TFL with the ANPR cameras used for the expanded ULEZ zone?
Which country are the ANPR cameras (that will be used for the expanded ULEZ zones) sourced from? (i.e. where are the ANPR cameras made?)
How many new ANPR cameras will there be for the expanded ULEZ zone?
When were the ANPR cameras ordered (date) for the expanded ULEZ zone?
When did TFL (tangibly) come into possession of the ANPR cameras for the expanded ULEZ zone?
How much does each ANPR camera for the expanded ULEZ zone cost to purchase?
How much does each ANPR camera for the expanded ULEZ zone cost to install?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2839-2223 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2nd February 2023 asking for information about ULEZ expansion 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 the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below: Question 1: Which company provides TFL with the ANPR cameras used for the expanded ULEZ zone? Answer: Yunex Traffic UK are the TfL contractor for the supply and installation of ANPR cameras for all TfL Road User Charging Schemes, including the forthcoming expansion of ULEZ. Note that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been used to enforce Road User Charging schemes such as the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone in central and inner London for many years. TfL has completed Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) of the expansion of ULEZ which took place in 2021 and of the forthcoming expansion in August 2023 which set out how we minimise data collection from ANPR cameras, how data will be used and how we keep it secure. More information in this regard - including copies of the DPIAs referred to above - can be found on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/road-user-charging Question 2: Which country are the ANPR cameras (that will be used for the expanded ULEZ zones) sourced from? (i.e. where are the ANPR cameras made?) Answer:The cameras are sourced and made in the UK. Question 3: How many new ANPR cameras will there be for the expanded ULEZ zone? Answer: We expect that c2750 additional ANPR cameras will be needed to operate the expanded London-wide scheme. Question 4: When were the ANPR cameras ordered (date) for the expanded ULEZ zone? And; Question 5: When did TFL (tangibly) come into possession of the ANPR cameras for the expanded ULEZ zone? Answer:In March 2022 the Mayor announced his intention to consult on proposals for expanding the ULEZ to operate London-wide. A consultation on London-wide ULEZ proposals - with a proposed start date of 29 August 2023 - took place between May and July 2022, and the expansion was later approved by the Mayor (with modifications) on 24 November 2022. As a result of the March announcement TfL was asked to ensure preparedness in the event that the proposals to expand the ULEZ scheme London-wide were to be confirmed by the Mayor following consultation. Given the timescales involved if the consultation proposals were to be confirmed, TfL took steps to prepare for the contingency of an approved scheme. This included placing orders of critical components and materials that have long lead-in times based on current market conditions. This work was entirely “at risk” in the event the Mayor decided not to proceed with the proposed ULEZ expansion, and orders were placed on terms that allowed them to be cancelled or the equipment re-used elsewhere. Orders were placed from April 2022 onwards. Installation of new ANPR cameras commenced from December 2022 onwards. Question 6: How much does each ANPR camera for the expanded ULEZ zone cost to purchase? And; Question 7: How much does each ANPR camera for the expanded ULEZ zone cost to install? Answer: The estimated final cost to deliver the expanded scheme was reported in November 2022 as £159.5m. However, since this time we have undertaken further design work and now expect the costs to be in the range of £130 -140m. The current estimated total cost to supply and install the ANPR cameras and associated supporting infrastructure is in the range of £45-50m. This includes staff time, overheads and risk. Note that the exact information you have requested - for a breakdown of camera costs and installation by individual unit - is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the exemption that applies to information that would, if released, cause a commercial prejudice, be it to TfL or any other body. Section 43 is a ‘qualified exemption’, meaning we have to consider whether the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying and the information being withheld, or in releasing it in any case. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the running of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, in this instance we believe the exemption should apply to ensure TfL’s negotiating position for any future such works is not compromised. As a publicly funded body (through both fares and Government grants) we see no overriding public interest in releasing information that might add costs to the public purse. It is also the case that release of the information could prejudice the contractor in tendering for similar work elsewhere. If this is not the information you are looking for 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, David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
