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⚠ We cannot provide any past or archived footage
JamCams does not record, save or store any video or images from TfL traffic cameras. We display live feeds only. Once a feed has passed, it is gone — we have no way to retrieve it, for any reason.
Where Our Feeds Come From
JamCams is a third-party website that displays publicly available traffic camera feeds published by Transport for London (TfL) under the TfL Open Data programme. We do not operate, install or maintain any cameras. Every feed you see on this site is streamed directly from TfL’s own infrastructure in real time.
TfL’s JamCam network exists for one purpose: to help TfL’s traffic control centre manage road conditions across Greater London in real time. The cameras are not operated as public CCTV surveillance systems, and they are not designed or maintained as evidence-gathering tools.
We pull these feeds live, display them on camera pages across the site, and refresh them approximately every five minutes in line with TfL’s own update cycle. That is the entirety of what JamCams does with the footage.
What We Do Not Store or Archive
We want to be completely transparent about this, because we receive requests for footage regularly and understand why people ask. JamCams does not:
- Record or save any video stream from any TfL camera
- Archive still images from any feed, past or present
- Log timestamps, traffic events or incident data linked to specific footage
- Store any footage on our servers or in cloud storage
- Have any ability to retrieve what a camera showed at a specific time in the past
This is not a policy choice — it is simply how the service works. We are a display layer for TfL’s live data feed. There is no database of past footage to search, and there is no system that could produce a clip from a specific time on a specific date. We genuinely cannot help with retrospective footage requests, no matter the circumstances.
📧 Please do not contact us for footage requests
We are unable to respond to requests for past camera footage, incident recordings or traffic event images. We do not have this material and cannot obtain it. Emails of this nature will not receive a reply — not because we do not care, but because there is nothing we can do to help. Please read below on how to approach TfL directly.
Can You Save a Feed Yourself?
If you are watching a live feed on JamCams right now and there is something you want to capture, you may be able to save it using your device’s screen recording function. On most modern smartphones this is available in the quick settings panel. On a desktop or laptop, tools like OBS Studio or your operating system’s built-in screen capture can record what is on screen.
This is entirely your own responsibility to do in the moment. Once the live feed has moved on, neither JamCams nor TfL can provide a retrospective copy of what you saw.
💡 If you witnessed an incident: act immediately
- Take a screenshot or start a screen recording right now if the camera still shows the scene
- Note the exact time, camera name and page URL — this information helps if you later contact TfL
- TfL feeds refresh every five minutes — the window for capturing anything relevant is short
Getting Footage from TfL Directly
TfL is the only organisation that may hold recordings from their JamCam network. If you need footage for a legal matter, insurance claim or police investigation, TfL is the correct body to contact — not JamCams.
1. Subject Access Request (SAR) under UK GDPR
If you were personally involved in an incident, you have the right to request any personal data TfL holds about you, which could include footage that shows you. Submit a SAR via TfL’s data request page. TfL has one month to respond and there is no fee.
2. Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
FOI requests can be used to ask TfL whether recordings exist and under what circumstances they might be released. However, camera footage is frequently exempt from FOI disclosure on grounds of law enforcement or personal data. An FOI is more useful for understanding TfL’s policies than for obtaining specific footage.
3. Via the Police
If a road traffic incident has been reported to the police and is under investigation, the Metropolitan Police or other relevant force can request footage from TfL directly as part of that investigation. This is generally the most effective route if criminal proceedings or a serious injury are involved. TfL will cooperate with lawful police requests but does not release footage directly to members of the public in most cases.
The Honest Reality: What TfL JamCam Footage Actually Is
Even if you successfully obtain footage from TfL, it is worth managing your expectations. JamCams are traffic management tools, not surveillance cameras.
⚠ JamCam footage is very limited in quality and duration
TfL JamCams are low resolution — typically 352×288 pixels or similar — designed to give traffic controllers a general sense of road conditions, not to capture licence plates, identify individuals or document incidents in detail.
Key limitations of TfL JamCam footage:
- Very short clips only. TfL’s system captures short loops — often just 10 to 15 seconds — rather than continuous recordings.
- Low resolution. Vehicle registration plates are not readable and individual faces are not identifiable at typical JamCam resolution.
- No guarantee of retention. There is no guarantee footage from even a few hours ago still exists.
- Fixed viewpoints. The camera closest to an incident may not have had a direct or useful view of the event.
- Traffic management only. The cameras are not monitored for incident recording. If an incident was not flagged to TfL’s control centre at the time, the likelihood of footage being retained is low.
Better Evidence Sources After an Accident
In most road traffic incidents, there are more reliable sources of visual evidence than a traffic management camera:
- Dash cam footage — your own or the other vehicle’s. Our guide to the best dash cams for London drivers covers what to look for.
- Witness smartphones — bystanders may have filmed the incident. Take contact details from witnesses at the scene.
- Private CCTV — shops, businesses, petrol stations and residential properties near the scene often have their own CCTV systems at higher resolution.
- Council and police CCTV — local councils and the Metropolitan Police operate CCTV networks separate from TfL’s JamCams, accessed via police request.
- Insurance telematics — if either vehicle has a black box policy, the insurer may hold data on speed, braking and position at the time.
✓ What to do at the scene
Photograph everything immediately: vehicle positions, road markings, damage, skid marks, traffic signs, and the surrounding area. Your own photos taken at the scene are often the most useful evidence of all. See our full guide: What to do after a road accident in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can JamCams provide footage for an insurance claim?
No. We do not hold any footage. We are a live display service only. For insurance purposes, contact TfL if you believe their cameras may have captured the incident, and instruct your insurer to do the same. Your own dash cam footage, witness statements and photographs taken at the scene will typically carry far more weight with insurers than traffic management camera footage.
I saw an accident on a JamCams feed. Can you send me what you recorded?
No. JamCams does not record anything. The feed you watched was live. Once it passed, the data is gone on our end. If you were watching and wanted to preserve what you saw, a screen recording at the time would have been the only way to do so.
Will TfL definitely have footage from the camera near my accident?
Not necessarily. TfL’s retention policies are not publicly detailed, and JamCam footage is captured in short clips rather than as continuous recording. It is still worth asking, but treat any outcome as uncertain.
How long does TfL keep camera footage?
TfL has not published a specific retention period for JamCam footage. Industry standard for traffic CCTV is often 28 to 31 days. If you need footage for a legal or insurance matter, submit a request as soon as possible after the incident.
Can I use JamCams footage I screenshotted as evidence?
Screenshots or screen recordings you took yourself while watching a live feed may have some evidential value. Always note the exact time, camera name and URL when you capture anything. Your solicitor can advise on its admissibility.
What is the difference between JamCams and police CCTV?
JamCams are operated by TfL for traffic management — low-resolution, covering junctions and road sections, not monitored for crime detection. Police CCTV (operated by the Metropolitan Police and London boroughs) tends to be higher resolution, covers town centres and public spaces, and is designed for law enforcement purposes. Access is via the police, not via JamCams or TfL.