Request ID: FOI-4232-2324 Date published: 06 March 2024
You asked
In respect of the recently introduced 40 MPH speed limit on the A20 Eastbound West of Sandy Lan to East of Cookham road, I would like to obtain the following information:
- Please confirm the date that the restriction came into force (i.e. the date at which speeds to checked and, if over 40MPH, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP was sent out).
- Please provide a list of all 40 MPH signs (and their size) and any other signage that was in place on the day the restrictions came into force
Please provide a list of all additional signs that have been put in place (including, for example, any replacement signs where smaller signs were replaced with larger ones)
- In particular for the above two points, I would specifically like to know the date of erection of the two 40 signs (gateway signs) as you exit the roundabout at Crittals Corner to join the sliproad to join the A20 eastbound
- Please advise the total number of speed offences (where a NIP has been sent or will be sent) between the date the restrictions came into force and today.
We answered
TfL Ref: 4232-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 February 2024 asking for information about the A20 speed restrictions.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked: In respect of the recently introduced 40 MPH speed limit on the A20 Eastbound West of Sandy Lane to East of Cookham Road, I would like to obtain the following information:
- Please confirm the date that the restriction came into force (i.e. the date at which speeds to checked and, if over 40MPH, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP was sent out). - Please provide a list of all 40 MPH signs (and their size) and any other signage that was in place on the day the restrictions came into force Please provide a list of all additional signs that have been put in place (including, for example, any replacement signs where smaller signs were replaced with larger ones) - In particular for the above two points, I would specifically like to know the date of erection of the two 40 signs (gateway signs) as you exit the roundabout at Crittals Corner to join the sliproad to join the A20 eastbound - Please advise the total number of speed offences (where a NIP has been sent or will be sent) between the date the restrictions came into force and today.
See responses below:
- Please provide a list of all 40 MPH signs (and their size) and any other signage that was in place on the day the restrictions came into force
The attached drawings AARC3169-tFL-120-19-DRG-TR show the designs installed in September 2023 to reduce the speed limit to 40mph.
Please provide a list of all additional signs that have been put in place (including, for example, any replacement signs where smaller signs were replaced with larger ones)
- Three digital variable messaging signs were provided in October, together with ‘New Speed Limit in force’ red information signs. - The attached drawings AARC3169-tFL-120-19-DRG-TR 0011-0018 show subsequent designs installed in December 2023 to increase the size of some roundels following engineering review. - We have also installed some ‘Speed reduction due to skid risk’ signage at the location on 6 February 2024.
In particular for the above two points, I would specifically like to know the date of erection of the two 40 signs (gateway signs) as you exit the roundabout at Crittals Corner to join the sliproad to join the A20 eastbound
These roundels were installed in September as per AARC3169-tFL-120-19-DRG-TR at a 600 diameter.
- Please confirm the date that the restriction came into force (i.e. the date at which speeds to checked and, if over 40MPH, a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP was sent out).
The speed limit was lowered on 18th October 2023. Please see the attached traffic order to that effect. Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of the legislation, which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions of Schedule 2 which would make the processing ‘fair’.
- Please advise the total number of speed offences (where a NIP has been sent or will be sent) between the date the restrictions came into force and today.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, in accordance with the EIR, we are not obliged to supply the information requested in the above two points as it is subject to a statutory exception to the right of access to information under regulations R12(5)(a) – “international relations, defence, national security & public safety” (in this instance specifically public safety), and regulation 12(5)(b) – “the course of justice, the ability of a person to receive a fair trial or the ability of the public authority to conduct and inquiry of a criminal or disciplinary nature” (in this instance specifically the course of justice). This is because the release of this information (or similar information in relation to other areas) would reveal locations where enforcement activity is less likely to be implemented and may therefore encourage people to ignore restrictions at those locations. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than your own interest, the disclosure of information under EIR is regarded as a disclosure to the public at large rather than to the individual applicant. The use of these exceptions 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, and in particular where this relates to the maintenance of public assets and the effective expenditure of public funds. In this case, it may also be of interest in enabling the general public to understand the extent of the problem of speeding on TfL’s road network. However, we do not consider that there are any other public interest factors in favour of the disclosure of this information, which otherwise is only likely to be of interest to those who want to avoid speeding restrictions. On the other hand, there is a very strong public interest in protecting the health and safety of individuals, and in the smooth running of the road network.
Therefore, in this instance we feel that the balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that we are able to minimise the number of potential incidents of speeding which could have considerable implications for law enforcement and public safety. This approach has recently been agreed by the Information Commissioner in relation to similar, previous requests as can be seen in the following Decision Notices - the same arguments apply here:
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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
