Freedom of information request - Contravention location GREAT WEST RD / WINDMILL RD
Request ID: FOI-3930-2324 Date published: 21 February 2024
You asked
Subject: Freedom of Information Request - Fines and Appeals Data
Dear Transport for London (TfL) Freedom of Information Team,
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I seek information regarding penalties and appeals related to traffic contraventions at a specific location over the past three years.
Specifically, I would like to request the following information:
The total number of fines issued for traffic contraventions at the Great West Road / Windmill Road junction for the following periods:
1st January to 31st December 2021
1st January to 31st December 2022
1st January to 31st December 2023
The total number of appeals made against these fines and the number of appeals that were upheld for the same periods and location.
I believe that the disclosure of this information is in the public interest as it contributes to understanding and assessing the effectiveness and fairness of traffic enforcement in this area.
If my request is too broad or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me to provide assistance in narrowing it down. Additionally, if the processing of my request incurs any fees, please inform me in advance.
Please provide the information in an electronic format if possible. If you require any further clarification or details to process this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time and assistance in this matter. I look forward to your response within the 20 working days as stipulated by the Freedom of Information Act.
We answered
TfL Ref: 3930-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 31 January 2024 asking for information about PCNs and appeals relating to the junction of the Great West Road / Windmill Road.
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. You asked: I seek information regarding penalties and appeals related to traffic contraventions at a specific location over the past three years. Specifically, I would like to request the following information: The total number of fines issued for traffic contraventions at the Great West Road / Windmill Road junction for the following periods: 1st January to 31st December 2021 1st January to 31st December 2022 1st January to 31st December 2023 The total number of appeals made against these fines and the number of appeals that were upheld for the same periods and location.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the information requested relating to a specific location 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 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 you have requested on the number of fines issued and the number of appeals made / upheld at a specific location would reveal the likelihood of a driver being issued with a fine at that location. The purpose of enforcement 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 how likely (and, by extension, how unlikely) they are to be issued with a PCN then it would encourage non-compliance with those traffic restrictions in the areas that are not covered or are covered to a lesser extent. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own personal interest, 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, to ensure the safe and effective operation of the road network. It would be strongly against the public interest to release any information that would undermine this.
