FOI or EIR for Transport Data - Leeds Bylaw Guide
For requests about transport data in Leeds, England you must choose between a Freedom of Information (FOI) request and an Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) request. FOI covers recorded information held by public authorities, while EIR specifically covers environmental information including many transport-related datasets (air quality, traffic counts, roadworks, flood risk, noise and related plans). This guide explains how to decide which route suits transport data, how to submit a request to Leeds City Council, response times, appeal steps and practical next actions.
When to use FOI versus EIR
Use EIR when the information is environmental in character such as traffic emissions, monitoring, environmental impact assessments, cycleway and public-transport route plans, or data derived from sensors measuring environmental conditions. Use FOI for administrative records about transport policy, contracts, expenditure, meeting minutes and correspondence that are not environmental information.
If unsure, ask the council to clarify which regime they will apply when you submit your request; the authority must state whether it treats the request as FOI or EIR in its acknowledgement.
Making a clear request
- Describe precisely the dataset or records you want (date range, geographic area, sensor IDs, file formats).
- State whether you want raw machine-readable data or summary reports and include preferred file format (CSV, GeoJSON, PDF).
- Give a contact email and postal address for the council to send clarifying questions.
Leeds City Council publishes how to submit FOI and environmental requests and contact details for requests and reviews. [2]
Penalties & Enforcement
Response times and remedies for information requests are governed by the FOI Act and the Environmental Information Regulations; the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) explains statutory response times and enforcement powers. [1]
- Statutory response time: authorities must respond within 20 working days for FOI and normally within 20 working days for EIR (exceptions may apply).
- Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page for routine failure to disclose; see the ICO for enforcement remedies and possible sanctions.
- Non-monetary sanctions: ICO can issue decision notices and require public authorities to disclose information or correct procedures; further enforcement routes are set out by the ICO.
- Appeal and review: request an internal review from Leeds City Council first; if dissatisfied, complain to the ICO as the regulator.
- Enforcer and complaints: the ICO enforces FOI/EIR compliance; Leeds City Council handles internal reviews and front-line complaints.
Escalation for repeated non-compliance (first/repeat/continuing offences) and specific monetary penalty brackets are not specified on the cited council or ICO pages used here.
Common violations and typical outcomes
- Failure to acknowledge or respond within statutory time - outcome: internal review and possible ICO decision notice.
- Providing incomplete datasets (redacted or aggregated) without explanation - outcome: clarification request and potential ICO involvement.
- Withholding environmental information under an exception without adequate public interest test - outcome: ICO review and possible order to disclose.
Applications & Forms
There is no mandatory universal form for FOI or EIR; Leeds City Council provides contact details and an online route to submit requests and internal review requests on its information rights pages. Fees are usually not charged for simple information requests, but charges may apply in limited circumstances; specific fee rules or forms are not fully specified on the cited council page. [2]
Practical action steps
- Identify whether the data is environmental (use EIR) or administrative/contractual (use FOI).
- Submit your request to Leeds City Council using the published FOI/EIR contact route and keep written records of the request and any correspondence.
- Allow 20 working days for a response; if you receive a refusal, ask for an internal review promptly.
- If internal review is unsatisfactory, file a complaint with the ICO following their published process.
FAQ
- Which covers traffic counts and air-quality sensor data?
- Environmental sensor data such as air quality and traffic-related monitoring is normally covered by EIR; ask Leeds to confirm when you apply.
- Can I ask for raw GPS or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) data?
- Requests for personal data (eg, data that identifies individuals) may be restricted under data protection law; Leeds will state if personal data or exemptions apply.
- How long does Leeds take to respond?
- Statutory response is usually within 20 working days; complex requests may take longer with explanation from the council.
How-To
- Decide whether your data is environmental in nature; if so, prepare an EIR request specifying datasets and timeframes.
- Draft a concise request including contact details, format preference, and any search terms or identifiers (road names, sensor IDs).
- Send the request to the Leeds City Council FOI/EIR contact route and retain proof of submission.
- If you receive a refusal, request an internal review from the council and keep copies of correspondence.
- If still dissatisfied, complain to the ICO with the council’s final response and timeline for decision.
Key Takeaways
- Prefer EIR for environmental transport data, FOI for administrative records.
- Expect a statutory response within 20 working days.
- Use Leeds internal review first, then the ICO if needed.
Help and Support / Resources
- Leeds City Council - Freedom of information and environmental information
- Leeds - Parking, roads and travel
- Leeds - Planning
- Data.gov.uk - Leeds City Council datasets