Position of Speed Camera Van

Request Number: FOI/16707

Category: Roads Policing and Safety Cameras - Fixed Penalty Notice

Subject: Position of Speed Camera Van

Request and Answer: 
Your request for information has now been considered. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
 
Question 1
Do they think it’s safe for a safety camera to position itself right in front of a traffic light at a large and very busy junction? The safety van originally sat about 300 metres up the road and caused no problem to traffic.
 
Question 2
Why would they move a safety van to somewhere where it’s not a safe place to park?
 
Question 3
Could you ask PSNI if they feel this is a safe place to park?
 
Question 4
And ask them why they moved from a safe position to a non-safe position as going by past correspondence all sites must be agreed by the local SDC, sub divisional commander.
 
Question 5
Maybe you could possibly ask the local SDC had he agreed to the positioning of the van at this location.
 
Answer
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides a right of access to recorded information held by public authorities. Section 84 of FOIA relates to recorded information held by a public authority. A public authority is not obliged to create information, provide statements, opinions or rationale which would not be regarded as recorded information, for the purpose of FOI.

We believe your requests are general questions, rather than requests for recorded information held by PSNI:

"Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as 'information recorded in any form'. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. It does not require public authorities (in this case the PSNI) to answer questions generally; only if they already hold the answers in recorded form. The Act does not extend to requests for information about policies or their implementation, or the merits or demerits of any proposal or action - unless, of course, the answer to any such request is already held in recorded form." (Day vs ICO & DWP – EA/2006/0069 Final Decision).

However, we can provide the following in relation to your requests:

This particular site was introduced following speeding concerns in the area of the Railway Station in Holywood. The van was moved to a position as close as possible to the complaint location. It continues to avail of parking as before in a position at the side of the road and not infringing any of the live lanes. 
 
The NIRSP work closely with PSNI roads policing and local district policing to ensure the NIRSP help assist in keeping drivers safe on our community’s roads. District commanders and their senior executive teams are fully aware, and supportive of, the work conducted by the NIRSP