Request ID: FOI-3536-2324 Date published: 31 January 2024
You asked
For the calendar year 2023 please state how many Penalty Charge Notices have been issued because of box junction contraventions? In 2023 which five sites have been responsible for the most PCNs?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3536-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 4 January 2024, asking for information about penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued at 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. You asked:
For the calendar year 2023 please state how many Penalty Charge Notices have been issued because of box junction contraventions?
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.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
In 2023 which five sites have been responsible for the most PCNs?
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 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 drivers in London use the roads in compliance with the relevant restrictions and 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.
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.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
