How to Get TfL CCTV Footage After an Accident in London (2026)

15 May 2026Claims Team9 min read

You had an accident. The other driver is denying it was their fault. Your dashcam was off, or pointing the wrong way. The witnesses you noted down won't answer their phone. You're sitting on a non-fault claim that's about to turn into a 50/50 split because there's no proof.

Here's what most drivers don't know: London has **more than 90,000 cameras** across the TfL road network, borough councils, bus garages, and private buildings. Most accidents in London happen near at least one of them. The footage exists. You just have to know how to ask, and how fast.

The 31-day rule (this is the most important thing)

**TfL deletes most CCTV after 31 days.** Borough cameras typically delete after 14–30 days. After that, the footage is gone forever — even with a court order.

So: if you're reading this and you had an accident in the last 30 days, stop and request the footage today. Don't wait for the claim to be processed. Don't wait for the solicitor. The request has to be in writing, with the accident date, time, and location, to the right organisation. Every day you wait is a day of footage you might lose.

Step 1: figure out which camera you need

Different cameras are owned by different organisations. You have to ask the right one:

| Where the accident happened | Who owns the cameras | How to ask | |---|---|---| | Red routes (A12, A2, A406, A40, Embankment, etc.) | **TfL Streets** | Subject Access Request to TfL | | Borough roads (anything not a red route) | **Local council** | Subject Access Request to that borough | | Bus stop or bus lane | **TfL Buses** | SAR to TfL (separate department) | | Inside or outside a bus | **TfL Buses** (onboard camera) | SAR to TfL, mention bus route + time | | Petrol station, supermarket car park | **Private owner** | Letter / email to the business — they're obliged to keep it 30 days | | ANPR for the other driver's plate | **TfL or Police** | TfL for congestion zone, Police for everything else |

If you're not sure who owns the road, check it on [Google Maps](https://maps.google.com) — if it's an "A" road in inner London with the red "Transport for London" signage, it's a red route and that's TfL. Otherwise it's the borough.

Step 2: send the Subject Access Request (SAR)

Under UK GDPR (and the Data Protection Act 2018), CCTV footage that contains your vehicle or you in it is **personal data**. You have a legal right to request it. The process is called a Subject Access Request.

**For TfL**, send the SAR to: **dpo@tfl.gov.uk**

The email needs to include:

**Your full name** - **Your address** (to verify identity) - **Date and time of the incident** (as precise as you can get — minutes matter for CCTV scrubbing) - **Exact location** (junction name, road name, postcode, GPS if you have it) - **Vehicle registration** - **Reason for the request** ("I was involved in a road traffic accident at the above location and time and need the CCTV footage to support my insurance claim") - **Proof of identity** — TfL will ask for a passport / driving licence scan once you submit

TfL has **one calendar month** to respond. Footage that's within their retention period (31 days) will be supplied. They may charge a small fee for unusual requests but standard SARs are free.

**For borough councils**, find the council's data protection officer email — usually **dpo@[borough].gov.uk**. Same template as above. Mention the specific road and junction.

Step 3: send it FAST. Like, today.

The clock is brutal. By the time you've:

1. Had the accident (day 0) 2. Spoken to your insurance (day 1–3) 3. Started the claim process (day 4–7) 4. Realised liability is disputed (day 10–14) 5. Decided to chase CCTV (day 14–20) 6. Sent the SAR (day 20–25)

…you might already be past the 31-day window. The SAR has to be **at TfL** within 31 days, not just sent. Add a buffer.

If you're working with an accident management firm like us, we send the SAR on day 1 as a matter of course — even if the case looks open-and-shut. By the time the at-fault insurer changes their mind a month later, the footage is already in our hands.

Step 4: what the footage actually shows

Don't expect Hollywood quality. TfL traffic cameras are wide-angle, 30 frames per second, often with motion blur on fast-moving vehicles. You'll typically see:

Vehicle positions before, during, and after the incident - Traffic light states (green / amber / red) at the moment of impact - Lane discipline of both drivers - Whether either driver was overtaking, signalling, or moving erratically - Pedestrian or cyclist movements if relevant

**What it usually won't show**: number plates clearly enough to identify (unless the camera is an ANPR), driver behaviour inside the cabin, fine detail of the impact itself.

Step 5: combine it with your other evidence

CCTV alone isn't always conclusive. The strongest claims stack:

**TfL or borough CCTV** — establishes lane positions, signal states, who was moving - **Your own dashcam** — your perspective, plus 30 sec pre/post - **Other driver's insurance details** (always get this at the scene) - **Photos of damage and skid marks** — confirms point of impact - **Witness contacts** — independent perspective - **Police incident number** — if you reported it - **NHS or doctor records** if anyone was injured

Get as many of these as you can in the first 48 hours.

What if TfL says "no footage available"?

Three possibilities:

1. **No camera covered the spot** — possible but rare on major routes 2. **The camera was down for maintenance** — also rare 3. **You missed the 31-day window** — most common reason

If TfL responds with no footage, ask explicitly: "Was there a camera at this junction? Was it operational on the date and time of the incident? If so, why is the footage unavailable?" Their response (or refusal) becomes part of your evidence file.

If you suspect TfL deleted footage they shouldn't have, you can escalate to the **Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)**. But this is rare — TfL is usually compliant.

Why this matters more for PCO drivers

PCO drivers spend 60–80 hours a week on London's roads. Accidents are statistically more likely than for a private motorist who drives 5,000 miles a year. And when they happen, the at-fault driver's insurer knows you're probably under pressure to settle quickly (loss of earnings, no replacement vehicle, etc.).

Solid CCTV evidence flips that pressure. Insurers settle non-fault claims fast when they can see, on tape, that their driver was at fault. It can take a case from "3-month dispute and 50/50 split" to "7-day acceptance and full payout."

If you'd rather we handle it

This is part of what we do as standard on every claim where liability is disputed. As an accident management firm, we send SARs to TfL and the relevant borough on day 1, chase the responses, pull the footage, and forward it to the at-fault insurer alongside our liability argument. No fee to you — costs are recovered from the at-fault side at settlement.

[Call us on 0208 090 8872](tel:02080908872) or [start a free claim assessment](/submit-claim) and mention "disputed liability — need CCTV". We'll have the SAR out the same day.

Have a question about your claim?

Our team is available anytime. Call us and a real handler will pick up in about 2 minutes.

0208 090 8872