Request ID: FOI-3379-2223 Date published: 23 March 2023
You asked
Under the provisions of the freedom of information act and your information access policy please can you provide the information requested below.
Following the introduction of additional restrictions for bus lanes during covid please can you provide the current list of bus lane cameras in SW18 (Wandsworth).
We answered
Our ref: FOI-3379-2223/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 March 2023 asking for information about bus lane cameras in SW18.
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 the information you require.
Cameras are installed at key points across the red route and are used to enforce parking contraventions, bus lanes and moving traffic contraventions. In some cases, for example at major junctions, a single camera may be used to enforce multiple enforcement locations. In some cases, a single enforcement location may be covered by multiple cameras.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to providewhere the enforcement cameras are located as this information 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) and Section 31(1)(g) which relate to information whose disclosure 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 disclosure of the information would reveal which parts of the TfL road network are covered by such cameras. The purpose of these cameras is to assist with the safe and smooth flow of traffic on the TfL road network, and TfL has the power to issue PCNs where drivers contravene a range of restrictions on the network. If drivers are aware of exactly where (and, by extension, where not) these cameras are placed then it could encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered.
Disclosing information which reveals the locations of our enforcement cameras would highlight the locations where we do not enforce, which would lead to a decrease in compliance with traffic restrictions at those locations. This would adversely affect the flow of traffic on the network and consequently bus journey reliability times. 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. While we recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, in this instance we feel that the greater public interest lies in favour of withholding the information requested in the interests of law enforcement and the daily operation of a busy network, ensuring that we can effectively deter motorists from contravening the red route parking, stopping and moving traffic restrictions.
If you are not satisfied with this response 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
