Holywood By-Pass Speeding

Request Number: FOI/16160

Category: Roads Policing and Safety Cameras - Traffic Offences

Subject: Holywood By-Pass Speeding

Request and Answer: 
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.

We further consider the information you seek in request numbers 2 and 3 exempt by virtue of Section 31 and 21 of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why these exemptions apply. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office which we have followed in responding to your request.

Request Details
In relation to a N.I. Road Safety Partnership speed camera van, positioned at Holywood Railway Station. The camera was facing towards Belfast. This stretch of road is a dual carriageway and has a reduced speed limit of 40mph applicable to it. A 60mph speed limit is applicable to vehicles prior to these 40mph signs, on the approach to Holywood.

Please provide:

Request 1
Data on how many people you record travelling over the speed limit, during any one time period that the camera is operational. The most recent period would be fine.

Answer 1
For the deployment dated 23/11/25, in a one hour period, 11 vehicles were detected travelling in excess speed.

Request 2
The camera’s operational schedule? As in, when the camera is scheduled to be in place?

Answer 2
We are exempting the release of the camera’s operational schedule and the reasoning for this is detailed below.

Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:

   a. states that fact,
   b. specifies the exemption in question and
   c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.

The exemption, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:

Section 31(1) Law Enforcement – 31(1)(a) the prevention or detection of crime, 31(1)(b) the apprehension or prosecution of offenders

The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.

Exemptions Explained
Section 31
Section 31 is prejudice based qualified exemption and there is a requirement to articulate the harm that would be caused in releasing the requested information as well as considering the public interest to ensure that withholding the information is the appropriate response.

Harm for Section 31
The release of information under Freedom of Information (FOI) is a release into the public domain and not just to the individual requesting the information. Once information is disclosed by FOI there is no control or limits as to who or how the information is shared with other individuals, therefore a release under FOI is considered a disclosure to the world in general.

Release of the requested information would assist persons, who would habitually exceed speed limits, with avoiding detection. This could have a negative impact on the health and safety of other members of the public, as persons who regularly drive over the speed limits, are not detected and could therefore cause an increase road traffic incidents in other areas of the country.

Public Interest Test - Section 31
Section 31 - Factors Favouring Disclosure
Disclosure of the requested information could provide transparency and demonstrate openness around Speed Camera Van deployments.

Section 31 - Factors Favouring Non-Disclosure
Release of this schedule would put into the public domain policing methodology in relation to Speed Camera Van deployments. This could negatively affect policing functions, as releasing this information may lead to criminal offences going undetected. In turn, this could put the public at risk as repeat offenders are not being detected and this could lead to an increase in road traffic incidents.

Balancing Test
Whilst there is a public interest in the openness and transparency of the PSNI, there is a strong public interest in safeguarding the ability of the police service to carry out its law enforcement activities effectively.

The PSNI will not release any information that could provide assistance to those intent on criminality and thus prejudice our law enforcement functions. The PSNI have therefore decided that the public interest lies in favour of non-disclosure of this information.

Request 3
Camera certification that supports the legal value of the photo you sent. I presume you have something that makes the photo legal evidence.

Answer 3
We are exempting the camera certification you have requested as this is available in the public domain.

The following exemption has been applied:

Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
The speed meter used on the 26th June 2025 was a LaserCam4 serial number LE3314. The calibration certificate for this can be found online on the PSNI website:

https://www.psni.police.uk/northern-ireland-road-safety-partnership/types-and-locations-safety-cameras

The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.

Request 4
Information on how that particular location is selected? Accident stats would be helpful.

Answer 4
This particular location is classed as a Community Concern site. The location was introduced following speeding concerns being raised by the local community. The decision has not been made based on statistical data regarding accidents, however, if you would like accident statistics for your own information, please submit a new request.