Freedom Of Information (F.O.I.)

Roads Service Commitment to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI)

From 1 January 2005, subject to certain legal exemptions, the Freedom of Information Act will give you a right of access to recorded information held by public authorities including Roads Service. The provisions of the Freedom of Information Act will enable the public to have a better understanding of Roads Service and its work through improved access to information.

Other legislation also allows the public to access certain types of information created by Roads Service. Of particular relevance are the Data Protection Act which gives individuals access rights to personal information held about them, and the Environmental Information Regulations which greatly extend the public's access to environmental information.

Roads Service sees the introduction of the Act as a welcome opportunity both to improve the ways in which it informs the public it serves and to improve the ways in which it manages the enormous amount of information it holds. A Publication Scheme has already been established in order to ensure that a significant amount of information is available, without the need for a specific request. The Publication Scheme is intended to encourage the proactive publication of more information and to develop a greater culture of openness.