A9 Average Speed Cameras: EIR request

Information requested

I am part of an action group looking into accidents and traffic flow on the above road I require, if possible, under the freedom of information act some figures as to when the average speed cameras were installed on the route an any information regarding the affect they have had i.e. less accidents etc I appreciate it may not possible, but it would help if we had an idea how many actually are working without obviously naming any this information would help us in our case which we intend to pursue any information would be much appreciated.
 

Response

As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

To aid with my response I have numbered your questions for ease of reference.

1. When the average speed cameras were installed?

The average speed camera system on the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness has been operational since October 2014.

2. Any information regarding the affect they have had i.e. less accidents etc.

The information you have requested is available from http://a9road.info. Under regulation 6(1)(b) of the EIRs, we do not have to give you information which is already publicly available and easily accessible to you in another form or format. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

3. How many actually are working?

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs.

This is because the operation of all safety cameras, including the A9 ASC system, is an operational matter for Police Scotland. You may wish to contact Police Scotland at foi@scotland.police.uk who may be able to help you.

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about the operation of average speed cameras, clearly we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.