A20 Eastbound 40MPH signs and zone

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.036033

I note you seek access to the following information:

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 correspondence/emails of any recommendations to increase the level of signage on the stretch of road in question that were made after 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.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 31 – Law Enforcement
Section 38 – Health & Safety

Reason for decision

I have exempted the information requested in your 5th question.

To expand on this further, your fifth question ‘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.’

In your above request, you have requested for the total number of camera speeding offences where a NIP has been sent or will be sent, but we are afraid, we are not required by Statute to release information on camera detections/activations and NIP’s issued at site specifics. We have therefore exempted this whole request under Section 31 & 38 of the Act.

To provide the number of violations/detections and NIP’s issued by site specific speed camera, would cause operation harm to the MPS.

Section 31(1)(a)(b) - Law Enforcement and Section 38(1)(a)(b) – Health and Safety - Information released under the Freedom of Information Act is released into the public domain, and not just to the individual requesting the information. While some individual requests for site specific safety-camera data may pose no threat to the prevention or detection of crime or to public safety, it is possible that subsequent requests of a similar nature could enable camera deployment and enforcement patterns to be plotted.

In these circumstances the information requested would, enable individuals to draw conclusions about the likelihood of being caught on camera at specific locations. If numbers of offence detection were released, it may enable the public to predict likely camera deployment patterns. This could potentially lead to individuals making decisions about where it is and is not “safe” to speed or jump the lights.

In addition, there is documented evidence that the release of information relating to safety cameras which generate the most offences has resulted in those camera sites being subject to criminal damage (section 38 of the Act).

To disclose information in relation to NIPs issued would therefore reveal tactical capability and would place the MPS at a tactical disadvantage. The MPS has a duty to protect the public from harm and that duty of care to all involved must be the overriding consideration. It cannot be in the public interest to disclose information which would undermine our ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice. Specific information would reveal resource information and intelligence that would be extremely valuable to those wishing to carry out such infractions.

As detailed within the 'harm', the disclosure of any information that provides information in relation to the deployment and use of police resources would be a valuable asset to individuals and/or organisations wishing to commit crimes. In addition, more crimes would be committed which would place the safety of the general public at risk.

Whilst there is public interest in the transparency of policing resources and providing reassurance that the MPS is appropriately and effectively ensuring that their resources are used effectively and appropriately, there is also a strong public interest in knowing that policing activity with regard to the delivery of law enforcement is operationally effective.

Public safety is of paramount importance and any information which would undermine policing tactics and consequently place individuals at risk is not in the public interest. The effective delivery of operational law enforcement is crucial and of paramount importance to the MPS.

Disclosure of information that would undermine the operational integrity of effective law enforcement and will undoubtedly adversely affect public safety as more crimes would be committed.

We are therefore unable to disclose the NIP data by the location requested, as we believe that there is a stronger public interest in ensuring that the overall effectiveness of speed cameras is not undermined or compromised.

Disclosure

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 new speed limit of 40mph came in to force on 18th October 2023.

In respect of your 2nd, 3rd and 4th questions, the Metropolitan Police Service do not hold this information and it is advised you make a Freedom of Information Act request to Transport for London (TFL). Advice on how to do this can be found on the website below under ‘Make a Request Online’.